OPINION: What July 4 Really Means

From The Heritage Foundation, I’m Ernest Istook.

Independence Day marks the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.

To us Americans, it’s important because it marks the birthday of the United States of America.

But what’s unique to the world is that this declaration did more than proclaim ourselves as a new nation. It also declared new standards and timeless principles: that all men are created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights—and that governments are created to protect our God-given rights. That’s unique—a proclamation that rights come from God, not from government.

Also new was the notion that government’s powers must come from the consent of the governed, and not be based on which monarch has the strongest army or the ability to control the people.

All men are created equal—that really has a nice ring to it—just like the Liberty Bell.

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