declaration of independence

July 04, 2022

How Frederick Douglass found hope on the Fourth of July

On July 5, 1852, nearly a decade before the start of the Civil War, Frederick Douglass, a freed slave and statesman-abolitionist, offered a profound speech on seeing the Fourth of July through the eyes of a slave. Continue Reading...

November 15, 2021

Removing statues won’t erase the past, could mar the future

Monuments have been created for thousands of years. The word monument itself finds its Greek etymological roots in Mnemosyne, the name of the ancient goddess of memory and mother of the nine muses. Continue Reading...

July 08, 2021

In celebrating American liberty, let’s not forget the role of religion

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress officially endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Parades, public readings, and bonfires ensued. These spontaneous celebrations developed into the Independence Day traditions that Americans still enjoy today. Continue Reading...

July 23, 2020

Hong Kong and the enduring value of the Declaration of Independence

American exceptionalism cannot be appreciated without contrast. Compare these two scenes: On Wednesday night throngs of rioters rampaged through Seattle’s Capitol Hill district, inflicting “massive amounts of property damage, looting,” and “arson” without sustaining a single arrest. Continue Reading...

July 09, 2018

Alejandro Chafuen calls Europe to embrace freedom

Europe is currently absorbed with the task of finding a unifying force among its diversity of culture and values. How can Europe become e pluribus unum– one out of many? Continue Reading...

July 04, 2018

US to UK: Embrace ‘spirit’ of Declaration of Independence for Brexit

On this Fourth of July, the U.S. ambassador to the UK has written an op-ed encouraging the government to embrace the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. Robert Wood Johnson’s op-ed points to the special relationship that grew up following our Revolution to strengthen Theresa May’s flagging resolve as Brexit talks lumber forward. Continue Reading...

July 04, 2016

Natural rights and social duties

“Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right to do what we ought.” – Lord Acton Today, people across the United States will march in parades, set off fireworks, and don red, white, and blue to huge family cookouts, all in celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Continue Reading...

November 19, 2015

Ruggles in America: Charles Laughton Recites the Gettsyburg Address

Today marks the 152nd anniversary of the Gettsyburg Address, the speech given by Abraham Lincoln after the battle which left 7,000 American soldiers dead and 40,000 wounded. Given its power and permanence, it may seem strange to memorialize it by pointing to an obscure comedy film from the 1930s. Continue Reading...

July 07, 2015

Classic Chuck Colson: Stand Up For Religious Freedom

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and BreakPoint, spoke in a 2009 Breakpoint broadcast about religious liberty. His words apply even more today. Allow me to make a very direct statement. Continue Reading...

June 17, 2015

Samuel Gregg On Pope Francis’ American Visit

Today in The Federalist, Acton director of research Samuel Gregg looks ahead to Pope Francis’ American visit. Gregg, of course, cannot predict the future, but he can respond to others’ speculation; in particular, he takes issue with Jeffrey Sachs. Continue Reading...

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