The United States of America celebrated the 250th anniversary of the independence on July 4th this year. In just 250 years since gaining independence from British colonial rule on this day in 1776, the United States has established itself as a remarkable example of progress in science, technology, education, healthcare, and virtually every other sector around the world.
No magic lamp of Aladdin was responsible for these achievements. Rather, the hard work, honesty, perseverance, patriotism, and constant desire to innovate among Americans have served as the driving forces behind this success. I believe that one of the key reasons for America’s success is its culture of curiosity and inquiry.
At the individual, family, community, and national levels, people continuously evaluate every aspect of life, weigh its strengths and weaknesses, and seek ways to improve. The scientific term for this process may be “research” or the relentless pursuit of innovation. Just as large organizations have Research and Development (R&D) departments, R&D has become an inseparable part of American society and culture.
Whenever I speak about America, I often recall a statement by the renowned writer Anisul Hoque. Describing America, he succinctly referred to it as “Where the mind is without fear.” This phrase immediately reminds us of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which recognizes freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion as fundamental rights. These freedoms are not merely recognized on paper; they are actively practiced as essential elements of American democracy.
As a result, people can peacefully protest day and night in front of the White House, the residence of the President of the United States. Citizens can openly joke about the ruling party, government officials, and political leaders in late-night comedy shows without fear. No one suppresses them for doing so. As a student of journalism and communication, I believe this is one of the strongest pillars of American democracy.
Therefore, when speaking about freedom and on the eve of every Independence Day, America is often described in just four words: “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.”
Like Bangladesh, America was also once a colony exploited by the British. Although British rule in America lasted nearly half a century less than in the Indian subcontinent, Britain ultimately accepted defeat on this day in 1776, and thirteen British-controlled colonies united to form an independent nation.
America’s path to independence was far from smooth. Rather, the country’s freedom was won through the American Revolution—also known as the Revolutionary War or the War of Independence—which lasted nearly two decades from 1765 to 1783. The revolution gave birth to what would become the world’s largest democratic nation. The guiding principles of American independence were self-governance and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
There are many similarities between the economic exploitation and oppression carried out by the British in the Indian subcontinent and their treatment of the American colonies. Following the French and Indian War (part of the Seven Years’ War, which ended in 1763), Britain accumulated enormous debt and imposed heavy taxes on the American colonies. Since the colonies had no representation in the British Parliament, they increasingly protested “taxation without representation.” Over time, this resentment evolved into a struggle for independence.
Because America gained its freedom through movements against oppression and injustice—and because the foundation of its independence was individual liberty and justice—personal freedom, democratic values, and justice remain three central pillars of American society today.
Embracing these ideals, Americans continue to recite a pledge of allegiance in schools, government institutions, and social gatherings: “I pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stand, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Dr Delaware Arif is an Associate Professor of Multimedia Journalism at the Canisius University in Buffalo, NY, United States. He can be reached at: [email protected]
