Today is the day that we Americans celebrate the birth of our Nation. Some of you, around the world, may not know exactly what was involved. July 4, 1776 was the day that the Founding Fathers of this country began the process of signing The Declaration of Independence, legally separating us from English rule. Thus they bet their fortunes and lives on the dream of a better future for all mankind. Sometimes we have faltered in that dream. However, at other times, we have succeeded admirably. Our responsibility is to continue to do so.
Second only after the Bible, The Declaration of Independence is the most revolutionary document in the history of the world. In any time, it is a document, dangerous beyond belief, to those who would be tyrants. It challenges all men to be responsible for their government, and thus regulators of that government. Therefore, every American should know what The Declaration of Independence says.
It is one of my fondest dreams that every American would read both The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States at least once a year. What one does not keep in one's mind, one quickly forgets. I would want these two documents to be required reading for every school child at least once every year until they graduate. I would go so far as to say that I do not believe that a person should have the privilege of voting unless he or she can show knowlege of these two documents.
Upon signing The Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin said, "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." That holds true today, just as it did in 1776.
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