The rapidly approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is sure to be celebrated with parades, barbecues, speeches and collective pats on the back. In every city and town, prayers will be offered, bands will play and flags will fly, as well they should. It’s a milestone, after all, that not every nation gets to reach.

However, I think this particular occasion deserves something more. We have before us a perfect—and certainly timely—opportunity to revisit the Declaration of 1776 and the values it embodied, to consider all that has happened since then, and to contemplate all that yet remains to be done.

So I invite anyone to whom these words may come—and that means you, Dear Reader—to jot down a few thoughts for the Declaration of 2026. Honor or mourn those who have gone before, offer up your hopes and visions for the future, celebrate—or castigate—the present. Speak from your heart. Then share those thoughts with your friends and families, coworkers and strangers, and encourage them to do the same. 

I do not expect any single unifying text to emerge from the resulting cacophony, though that might happen. But I do expect many points of view to be articulated and heard—and that will be perfectly all right.

To start things off, here’s my contribution. I’ll look forward to seeing yours.

A People’s Declaration of 2026 (Draft)

As our nation, the United States of America, prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, we come together as citizens and communities, residents, families and guests, to reaffirm and expand upon our belief in the principles of its founding.

We still hold these truths to be self-evident:

that all of us are innately equal, in that we all as human beings possess certain inalienable rights; that among these rights are life, liberty, respect, dignity, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the fruits of Creation;

that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among people, 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 and duty 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.

Further, we affirm as self-evident that all rights convey certain responsibilities, and that neglect of those responsibilities can result in the diminishment or loss of rights, the malfunctioning of government, and the establishment of tyranny.

In the last 250 years, our nation has expanded in size, power and influence. We look upon its historical achievements with pride, and its flaws, mistakes and shortcomings with humility and a determination to improve. Our work is not done. Our experiment is not complete. Our story is not over.

We therefore renew our pledges to each other, to our fellow nations, and to the planet, to further the causes of freedom, prosperity, sustainability and peace, for the growth and development of all. 

(You are invited to write your own version.)