Hi Reader,

I've spent most of my career helping leaders make difficult decisions.

America's 250th Birthday got me thinking about a group of leaders who faced decisions unlike any before—or since.

The kind it took to launch an entirely new nation 250 years ago.

The Founding Fathers weren't perfect. They disagreed. They compromised. They wrestled with enormous challenges.

Yet they shared a remarkable belief—that freedom could endure only if citizens were willing to accept the responsibility that comes with it.

When they adopted the Declaration of Independence on that auspicious day of July 4, 1776, the Founding Fathers knew their lives were at great risk, and that if they signed the Declaration and the revolution failed, they would likely be killed.

What Does the Declaration of Independence Say?

In a few days, we will be celebrating America's 250th Birthday.

For my money, I think it would be a worthy exercise for you to read it in its entirety – maybe out loud to your family when you're gathered this Saturday.

Let your children hear and consider these words and appreciate the opportunities they've been granted.

It's only 1,320 words (1,337 if you include the title from the official parchment).

It should only take 5-6 minutes to read it – Five or Six minutes that helped change the course of history.

It maybe a bit more if you read it aloud – but in all cases, less than 10 minutes.

I was tempted to include the entire document here, but I hope it's just as easy for you to click the link where you will find the official transcription.

This link takes you to the official "transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence" which is on display at the National Archives Museum. (In this transcription, the spelling and punctuation reflect the original.)

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written

I'm a big fan of Walter Isaacson who has written many fascinating biographies of interesting people - of Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, Elon Musk, Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein.

In this short book – The Greatest Sentence Ever Written – he explores why he believes one sentence from the Declaration of Independence changed the world. I think he makes a compelling case.

Available on Amazon → The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Issacson.​

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your price is exactly the same whether you use this link or go directly to Amazon.

What's that greatest sentence?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain

inalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Happy Birthday, America