Last weekend, the United States of America commemorated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776, representatives from the thirteen colonies gathered in Philadelphia to declare independence from Great Britain. It was the culmination of the American Revolution and a pivotal moment in time. The birth of a nation.
Two hundred and fifty years of independence. One quarter of a millennium of freedom. A monumental milestone. We’ve grown from a fledgling coalition of colonies to a mighty global power and, along the way, we’ve implemented laws to protect the rights of the citizens. Freedom of speech is a true privilege, especially for a writer. It’s a freedom that’s still subject to oppressive restrictions in some countries. I have great respect and immense appreciation for the political activists who founded this nation.
When I was in Law School, I took a Constitutional Law class. It was taught by the Dean, Rex Lee. He’d previously served as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, and he later became the United States Solicitor General. He knew the subject matter well and was passionate about the rights endowed by the U.S. Constitution. As a student, I memorized the course content and gained the conceptual knowledge required to pass the Bar exam. But I didn’t truly comprehend the significance and ramifications of the Bill of Rights. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the practical application of these fundamental rights and gained a deeper understanding of how blessed we are to hold these rights and live in the “Land of the Free.”
The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Happy 250th Birthday America! Long may your flag proudly wave.
