Independence Day, or Fourth of July, is a time to be thankful that we still live in the greatest country in the world.
It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by others that ensure we live in a free country.
It is the time to celebrate our freedoms made possible by the Declaration of Independence signed 246 years ago on July 4, 1776.
Preamble of the Declaration of Independence:
"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."
The signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged to each other their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Each one was dedicated and showed their wisdom as they later wrote and debated on the Constitution. They were courageous to stand against the British and today serve as examples of how we can preserve our freedoms by standing up to our current tyrannical government.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO: The Founders Honored
The video is about how Frederick Douglass was invited to give a keynote oration on the Independence Day Celebration on July 5, 1852, by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. President Millard Fillmore and 600 others listened intently to Douglass as he paid tribute to the founders of the United States while contrasting the hypocrisy of the present leadership where slavery and oppression were tolerated.
The audience within Corinthian Hall was enthusiastic, voting to unanimously endorse the speech at its end.
The Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society thought slavery "was an
evil that ought not to exist, and was a violation of the inalienable
rights of man." They were steadfast in refusing any partisan political
alignment, hoping to broaden their appeal across partisan lines.
Although Rochester was widely known as the home of Frederick
Douglass' Paper, at the time, Douglass was "the only anti-slavery
instrumentality in the community." The Rochester Ladies were anxious to
increase the support for their anti-slavery movement.
This year, we can be thankful that recent Supreme Court decisions affirm our foundational values. The Supreme Court justice to whom we owe the most gratitude is Justice Clarence Thomas.
It would be well worth your time to view the documentary about Justice Thomas "Created Equal: Clarence Thomas In His Own Words." This documentary shows the power of perseverance.
Below is a synopsis of this documentary that was provided by the filmmakers:
"Beyond the headlines, Thomas' life is a classic American tale: born poor in the segregated South, he became one of the most influential justices in the highest court in the land. Created Equal tells his story truly and fully, without cover-ups or distortions.
"With unprecedented access, the producers interviewed Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Virginia, for over 30 hours of interview time, over many months. Justice Thomas tells his entire life’s story, looking directly at the camera, speaking frankly to the audience. After a brief introduction, the documentary proceeds chronologically, combining Justice Thomas’ first person account with a rich array of historical archive material, period and original music, personal photos, and evocative recreations. Unscripted and without narration, the documentary takes the viewer through this complex and often painful life, dealing with race, faith, power, jurisprudence, and personal resilience."
