THE WORDS THAT LIT THE FUSE OF LIBERTY

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us turn our attention not just to fireworks and barbecues, but to the words that ignited the fuse of liberty around the world.

The American Declaration of Independence remains one of the most extraordinary political documents in human history. Its assertion that all people are “created equal” and endowed with “unalienable Rights” was unprecedented in 1776—and still inspires us today.

What made it so powerful was not just its bold break from a distant monarchy, but its universal moral clarity. The Declaration was more than a list of grievances; it was a revolutionary statement of natural rights and a blueprint for self-government. Its influence extended far beyond the American colonies, sparking revolutions and inspiring leaders from Simón Bolívar in South America to Václav Havel in Eastern Europe.

World historians recognize its lasting impact. Gordon Wood writes that the Declaration “gave birth to the idea of popular sovereignty,” laying the groundwork for democratic change around the globe.

Let us study this document not only as a symbol of the past, but— like Abraham Lincoln—as a living vision. By honoring it in word and deed, we commit ourselves to advancing its promises, especially for those among us who have yet to fully share in its vision of freedom.

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard F. Griffiths Elgin, Texas