Tomorrow is the 232nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  You can find an image of the original here http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_zoom_2.html as presented by the National Archives.

There is a transcript (at this site) of this historic document which was the first time in history that humans decided they really didn't need a king.  The following famous passage was, in a sense, the shot heard around the world, and it still echos today.  People from nearly every land still struggle to make it to America because here there is hope, opportunity, and the promise of freedom.

• "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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Something to think about as you celebrate tomorrow with BBQ dinners with friends and watch the fireworks displays wherever you may be.  Our challenge is to deliver on these concepts to our children and grandchildren.  It will be difficult.  It is always difficult to protect freedom from attacks of every sort, both within and without.  But if we fail, where will you go?