Declarations

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved a document with the heading “The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” While it didn’t have this title, that document became known as “The Declaration of Independence” because, among other things, it declared the political independence of the newly formed American states from Great Britain. But this document made other monumental declarations as well.

For example, it declared that “all men are created equal” and that they are endowed with the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This watershed document further declared that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And, importantly, this document declared for the first time that these newly formed states, “free and independent” from Great Britain, were “united” with each other. In fact, the last line of the Declaration declares that “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

So, you could say this seminal document wasn’t just a Declaration of Independence, it was also a Declaration of INTERdependence. And our new nation went even further to declare this interdependence on its Great Seal with the Latin phrase, E pluribus unum, “Out of many, one.”

Today there are many forces threatening to tear America asunder: hyperpartisanship, culture wars, tribalism, political polarization, and incivility. It is time for us to remember the unifying declarations that formed our great nation. Our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor are bound together. This July 4th let’s declare our independence from the modern adversaries that would rip us apart, and redeclare our interdependence to each other.

Happy In(ter)dependence Day!

Yours in republic keeping,
James Carroll
BFPNC Chair