In the most recent edition of the National History Club News Letter, Jack Miller discusses his own discovery of American History as the key to civic education and the preservation of liberty.
PRESERVING THE GIFT OF LIBERTY
Growing up, I never gave much thought to the importance of learning history. At that time in my life, it seemed to be nothing more than an exercise in remembering dates and names. But, later, I learned that it is about so much more. I found that among the great lessons and wisdom to be discovered from history are ideals, a philosophy of how one should live one’s life, and about what works and what doesn’t work in creating a free society where each individual can achieve to their own highest potential.
I learned that the freedom and opportunities our country afforded me are what allowed me to build a successful company and accumulate wealth. It was an America where, if you worked hard and focused, you could achieve to the best of your ability. Over time, I began to understand that the principles established in the American Founding made that possible. Concepts such as “all men are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and that governments are formed to protect those rights. These were the great promises pronounced in the Declaration of Independence and made into law in the Constitution.
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Tags: civic education, Declaration of Independence, Jack Miller, Jack Miller Center, Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Natural and legal rights, Non-partisan education, United States Constitution, United States Declaration of Independence