As we gather to celebrate Independence Day 2024, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the extraordinary principles that form the bedrock of our democracy. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are not merely historical documents; they are the living framework of a great experiment in governance, where the rule […]

The phrase “toward a more perfect union” comes from the Preamble of the United States Constitution, a document that embodies the ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice that we celebrate every 4th of July. This phrase captures the aspirational nature of the American project, an ongoing endeavor to create a nation that continually improves and […]

Independence Day fireworks are a staple of our 4th of July celebrations. The real *fireworks* started with the founders of our country, the ‘radicals’ of the 1770s American Revolution.  Patrick Henry was among the most radical.  Henry did *not* approve of the United States Constitution, because he found it too restrictive.  That view led to […]