I flipped back though America’s story to our official start on July 4th, 1776. I re-read the grievances written in The Declaration of Independence our Thirteen States had against the king of Britain. The majority of immigrants to the New World saw an opportunity to become free individuals, free to practice religion they saw fit. To create agreed upon rules for a civil society, instead of subjected to rules set by the king. But not everyone wanted to leave King’s rule.

In less than a year, we will celebrate our 250th anniversary, but what is the essence of the American experience and greatness which makes our nation’s experiment unique? I believe Americanism is agreeing to collectively address current issues through civil debate, solving governing deficiencies through co-equal branches of government, and giving voice to those whose voice isn’t being heard, all in pursuit of a more perfect Union. America’s transformation diary documents each generation’s challenges, setbacks, and contributions in writing our American story. Some generations improved our story better than others, but each generation stepped up to stand on the shoulders of those who preceded them. Our only reward is being worthy and proud to add to our Country’s legacy in improving the common good, accountability to each other, and enabling the pursuit of happiness for all. Our nation’s journey is a perpetual process of understanding who we were, who we are and who we strive to become.

Excerpts of who we were, our grievances from The Declaration of Independence to the King of Great Britain, the catalyst launching the American experiment. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States…To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world…”

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good… He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people… obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners… He has obstructed the Administration of Justice… He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone… He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people… He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power… Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us … For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world… For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury… For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences… For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever… He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us… He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us…”

“Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people…”

As we approach our 250th anniversary celebrating our transitioning to “We the People” rule, I don’t need to tell you who we are today. But reviewing our nation’s first chapter reoriented myself, to know who we were and who we strive to become was reawakening. We can return trust in government and unite in solving our Nation’s issues, when we see the humanity in each other.

As we close out 250 years, how will our current American chapter conclude and next chapter start? How many of us will be a worthy footnote in our American story? America’s quest for greatness started July 4, 1776 and I pray many more chapters are written highlighting America’s achievements toward a more perfect union.

“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.”