Sixteen months before Thomas Jefferson made the powerful words that would become our declaration of independence, he was quietly in the St. John’s Church of Richmond and absorbed the oratory of Patrick Henry. Henry’s call: “Give me freedom or give me death,” ignited a revolutionary spirit that Jefferson would later conquer on parchment.
While we are approaching July 4, 2026, the 250th birthday of America, the words of Jefferson with renewed importance: “We naturally consider these truths that all people are created that they are with certain inalienable rights by their Creator, that among this life, freedom and the aim of happiness.” These words mark the beginning of our nation. These words inspired men and women, made a slave and free, native and immigrant. These words have changed the world forever. Every movement for human dignity, equality and freedom from that moment, here and in every corner of the earth, has viewed these words for inspiration and justification.
In our history, America has constantly worked on these ambitious ideals, often imperfect, but always deliberately. The liberties promised in 1776 were not immediately or universally granted; Generations of Americans – to slave people, women and others denied their complete rights – would wait decades to taste freedom, and the struggle for real equality went through in our own century.
Protect the protective declaration of independence in our 250th year
We are the only nation in human history that is not based on ethnicity, territory or religion, but rather on a daring series of ideas, ideals and a government system. When we lose sight of where we came from or forget what our establishment was meant to establish, our differences begin to distribute us instead of binding us. That is why social innovation is essential. We have to reconnect Americans with our shared story and those who feel excluded again or believe that our founders no longer apply to them.
Virginia played a crucial role in this establishment. Van de correspondentiecomités in Williamsburg tot de Fairfax -oplossing in Alexandrië, tot de stemmen van de over -mountain -mannen in Roanoke en Patrick Henry in Richmond in Richmond – Vechtelijke acties werden ondernomen door mensen die het niet altijd eens waren, hielden niet altijd van of vertrouwden ze elkaar niet altijd of vertrouwden ze elkaar niet altijd of vertrouwden ze elkaar niet altijd of vertrouwden ze elkaar niet altijd, But who chose to act because their common cause was more important than their division.
Even in the light of deep risk and uncertainty, people made difficult, often dangerous choices. To slave, men such as James Armistead Lafayette and Gowan Pamphlet took great personal risks to fight for the hope of freedom. Despite relocation and division, native communities took part in the cause of freedom. These stories, too often undisturbed, remind us that our history is complex – but it is also rich in courage, resilience and sacrifice.
As Americans, we know that we have not always realized our ideals. We fell short time and time again. But our optimism for the future is not based on Wishful Thinking, but on our lasting belief that the government system that we have inherited gives us the tools to restore our mistakes and to meet our promise. The work of forming a perfect union is never ready – it must be absorbed by every generation.
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This milestone year is not just about fireworks and parades. It is a time for national reflection and social innovation. It is a time to promote ourselves to freedom and social responsibility – principles that today remain essential as in 1776. As national honorary chairman of Virginia 250 and chairman of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, I have seen first -hand in Virginia to make this commemoration meaningful. We have a unique opportunity to tell the whole story – to teach, involve and inspire. When 2026 ends, every American can be able to look in the mirror of our history and see himself and each other more clearly.
This is our time to step ahead and to do our work, so that every citizen understands his role in supporting our democracy. Although we may never agree, and will remain as lively and diverse as we have always been, this is our time to remember why we are all Americans.
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E Pluribus unum.
It doesn’t matter where you come from, how you started or what you look like. If you believe in the promise of America, in individual freedom and equality for God, then many are still possible.
