Kennedy gave one of the most courageous presidential speeches of the 20th century. We preach freedom around the world, and we mean it, and we cherish our freedom here at home, but are we to say to the world, and much more importantly, to each other that this is a land of the free except for the Negroes; that we have no second-class citizens except Negroes; that we have no class or caste system, no ghettoes, no master race except with respect to Negroes?
It is hard to imagine a president from either party making as principled a speech today. There is precious little evidence that public servants know much more about their country than the citizens they represent. Every country celebrates its origins. This, and every July 4th, Americans have the great privilege of observing a civic ritual that commemorates the establishment of a new form of government, responsible for building a world that is freer, more prosperous, and more open to learning and difference than any other that has existed in human history.
It was not because it was proposed to establish a new nation, but because it was proposed to establish a nation on new principles, that July 4, , has come to be regarded as one of the greatest days in history. Jonathan W. Pidluzny, Ph. Why do we teach U. The answer is simple: to prepare students for engaged and informed citizenry, the essential ingredient for preserving the American republic.
The Founders admonished that informed, engaged citizens would be the indispensable guardian of our liberty. A new survey commissioned by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni sheds a bright light on our nation's civic knowledge crisis.
Colleges and universities significantly contribute to the problem by chipping away at their core requirements in essential areas of knowledge; students g We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson — was given the job of drafting a formal Declaration of Independence. They gave the task of writing the document to Jefferson. The Declaration contained 3 sections: a general statement of natural rights theory and the purpose of government; a list of grievances against the British King; and the declaration of independence from England.
More than 20 years later, the Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution would contain prohibitions against the government to prevent the same forms of tyranny as were listed as grievances.
On July 2, , the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from England. On July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. John Hancock , President of the Continental Congress, signed it that day. The rest of the Congress signed two months later.
Many consider the Declaration of Independence to be the philosophical foundation of American freedom. They have called it a beacon of hope for people everywhere. Upcoming Events Explore our upcoming webinars, events and programs. View All Events. Invest In Our Future The most effective way to secure a freer America with more opportunity for all is through engaging, educating, and empowering our youth.
He did not foresee that Americans — including himself — would instead celebrate Independence Day on the date that Jefferson's document explaining the reasons for the separation was announced. Jefferson did not write a statement declaring independence. Rather, his document was a statement listing all of the reasons why the colonies had separated from Great Britain.
Popular Cities.
0コメント