This weekend marks this country’s 234th Independence Day—the day this country was born after 56 delegates to the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence.

Within the wording of that sacred document is the beginning of the second sentence:

“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.”

No other words in the English language means so much, nor has the price been paid so greatly than to perpetuate and preserve its premise.

Through the years, the fulfilling of those premises have evolved to where those truths are really self-evident—we are living our lives of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

During this holiday weekend, savor the richness, the wisdom and the meaning of our Declaration of Independence, and thank God for the United States of America.