The President has issued a message marking the 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The statement recalls the events of July 4, 1776, when 56 individuals signed the document in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, establishing key principles that have shaped the United States.
The President highlighted the drafting process led by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776. After over two weeks of writing and several days spent on revisions and debate, Jefferson and other members of the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration on July 4.
The message states: “On July 4, 1776, the cause of American liberty was enshrined in ink when 56 patriots gathered in what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to sign the Declaration of Independence. They enshrined a divine truth that changed the world forever when they declared, ‘all men are created equal.’”
The President continued: “As we honor 249 glorious years of American independence, we celebrate these rights upon which our nation was built—and we pay tribute to the titans of freedom who risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to secure our sovereignty.”
He described how Jefferson’s draft underwent scrutiny before its final adoption: “In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson began drafting what would later become one of the core foundational documents of the United States. After 17 days of writing and several days of deliberations, revisions, and scrutiny over every line and every phrase, on July 4, 1776, Jefferson and his fellow signatories formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.”
The message notes that despite uncertainty about their future at that time, members of Congress moved forward with determination: “Though the consequences of their actions were far from certain, the Second Continental Congress pressed forward with fierce determination, clarity of purpose, and an unshakable faith in God’s divine providence. Our Founding Fathers boldly proclaimed ‘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.’”
According to the President’s statement: “To this day, these words give life to our Republic, stir the hearts of every citizen, and animate our way of life. The Declaration of Independence was not just a statement of political protest but a revolution in moral and political thought. For nearly two-and-a-half centuries there has been no greater barrier to tyranny and oppression than these mighty words rooted in ‘the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.’”
Looking ahead to next year’s milestone anniversary marking 250 years since independence was declared for what would become the United States—the President stated: “As we approach 250 years of independence one year from today my Administration continues to work tirelessly to revive our sovereignty restore our strength and reclaim the sacred ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence. Today we summon courage every legend liberty who bravely signed his name to Declaration Independence 249 years ago—and invoke spirit 1776 propel Nation into new era restoration renewal confidence strength.”