Independence Day Spirit: Reclaiming and Living Our Founders’ Ideals Today

Each year on July 4th, Americans come together to commemorate the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, commonly referred to as Independence Day. We celebrate with fireworks, parades, flags waving in the summer breeze, and cookouts that bring families and communities together. But beneath the festivity lies a deeper question worth considering: What does it truly mean to be independent in America today?

Nearly 250 years ago, the signers of the Declaration of Independence put ink to parchment to affirm a radical idea: that liberty is a natural right, not a privilege granted by a king. The words of that document still ring with extraordinary clarity: “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.”

It was a bold, world-changing statement — one that ignited a revolution and inspired democratic movements around the globe. But as we mark another Independence Day, it is worth asking: How well are we living up to those ideals?  Can we, indeed, come to the same Independence Day Spirit?

Liberty: A Work in Progress

The founders’ concept of liberty was aspirational from the beginning. In 1776, “liberty” did not include enslaved Africans, Native Americans, or women. The rights declared were not applied equally, even as they were declared universal. And yet, those founding words have proved resilient, not because they were perfect, but because they were visionary.

Over the generations, Americans have fought to close the gap between our ideals and our realities. The abolitionist movement, women’s suffrage, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant justice — these are not departures from our founding principles, but fulfillments of them.

True patriotism means holding America accountable to its promises. As Frederick Douglass said in his famous 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” — the holiday means little if freedom is not shared by all. His challenge still echoes today: the Independence Day spirit is not complete until it is universal.

Equality: The Backbone of a Just Society

Equality is perhaps the most demanding ideal in the Declaration. It’s easy to say “all men are created equal” — much harder to create systems that treat people that way. Economic inequality, racial disparities, access to healthcare, education gaps — these issues remain stumbling blocks on the path toward a more perfect union.

But we’ve seen, time and again, that Americans are capable of change. From the 1964 Civil Rights Act to today’s debates about voting rights and criminal justice reform, the journey toward equality continues. Independence Day is a fitting time to recommit ourselves to this cause. It’s not unpatriotic to see where America falls short; it’s deeply patriotic to work toward making it better.

The Pursuit of Happiness: A Right Worth Defending

In few other founding documents is the “pursuit of happiness” named as a right. It’s a beautifully American ideal — not the promise of happiness itself, but the freedom to seek it. This implies freedom of thought, movement, association, enterprise, worship, and expression.

But that freedom must be protected. Civic education, open access to accurate information, fair elections, and public accountability — these are not luxuries but necessities in a society where individuals are empowered to determine their own paths. The pursuit of happiness means little if corruption, censorship, or disenfranchisement limit the journey.

As Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Our freedoms, like our nation, must be defended not just with arms, but with action—informed voting, public service, peaceful protest, and a shared commitment to truth.

Independence Day is Ongoing

July 4th is a time for gratitude — for those who fought for our freedom, and for the institutions and movements that continue to expand it. But it is also a time for introspection.

Are we doing our part to build a society where liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness are not just ideals on parchment, but realities in people’s lives?

Are we educating ourselves and our children on the responsibilities that come with freedom?

Are we building bridges across differences, or walls between us?

This Independence Day, let’s honor the founders not just by waving flags, but by asking the hard questions they left for us to answer. Let’s live our independence — not as a relic of history, but as a daily act of courage, compassion, and civic engagement.

Freedom, after all, is not a finished product. It is a living promise. One we are called to fulfill — together.

Happy Independence Day!

Sources and Further Reading:

• U.S. National Archives – The Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration

• Frederick Douglass’ 1852 Speech: https://www.loc.gov/

• Library of Congress – Documents from the American Revolution: https://www.loc.gov/collections/american-revolutionary-war-maps/about-this-collection/