"These united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

On this day, in 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, rose and moved to the Congress that "These united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." The motion seconded by John Adams, and deferred for consideration.

Richard Henry Lee

A vote would eventually be taken on July 2, and the Second Continental Congress unanimously approved the resolution (New York abstaining).  Two days later, the Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.  A nation was born, tyranny was put aside, and the world would never be the same.

For the first time in human history, a nation was founded on ideals:

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. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Lets keep it alive by renewing the American Spirit!  For a couple of ways to do that, check out PatriotWeek.org and AmericaSurvivalGuide.com.