On the Fourth of July this year, 250 years will have passed since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. It was in this document that the country was first referred to as the United States of America. That is why this date is considered the country’s birthday. For the first time, in 1776, the U.S. Declaration of Independence recorded such principles as freedom and the equality of all people. And only 13 years later, in 1789, as a result of the French Revolution, these principles found their place in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Compare:
In the U.S. Declaration of Independence:
“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, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
In the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, France:
- Men are born and remain free and equal in rights; social distinctions may be based only upon the general good.
- The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man; these rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was drafted and adopted, mainly setting out how the country’s government should be organized and function. And two years later, in 1789, at the first session of Congress, James Madison proposed the Bill of Rights, which came into force on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights is the unofficial name for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which enshrine the basic rights and freedoms of citizens, chief among them the First Amendment, which guarantees fundamental personal freedoms by prohibiting Congress from passing laws that establish a state religion, restrict freedom of speech or the press, or prohibit the right to peaceful assembly and petitioning the government.
After the adoption of the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution took on a logically complete form. It became a model for many states in creating their own constitutions.
And it was not only the adopted documents that became a model. The very existence of this country became a model as well – its actions abroad and at home, the values it fought for and defended. Thanks to the United States and its partners, who helped the Soviet Union and later joined the war themselves, fascism was defeated in the Second World War, and the economy, democracy, and dignified lives of citizens were restored in the countries of Western Europe. The United States has always opposed tyrants, autocracy, and totalitarianism, one manifestation of which was Soviet communism.
Freedom, equality, dignity, prosperity — these drew millions of emigrants like a magnet, people who came, or more precisely sailed and flew, to the United States. They created this country. Intelligence, honor, and conscience sought to be here. All the poor, the unfortunate, and the persecuted fled here. America was a magical word in the small Ukrainian village where I was born. People who received parcels from America would sell some of the items and were considered wealthy, unlike ordinary collective farmers, who received pennies for their workdays.
At the beginning of the 20th century, my great-grandfather went to America to earn money. He sent money to his family, and my great-grandmother lived on it, bought land, and hired workers. People used to say that land was “iron capital”: it would not burn in fire or sink in water. Then the moskali came and took that capital without water or fire. My great-grandfather returned from his work abroad to Ukraine, ended up on the front of the First World War, and died there. That is how things were on our long-suffering land — people died on fronts, lost what they had earned and built, but love and admiration for America always lived among us, especially in Western Ukraine. Seeking to hear the truth and learn world news, people would catch the Voice of America radio station at night, which the Soviet authorities tried to jam.
After the fall of the Soviet empire and Ukraine’s independence, the United States became more accessible and understandable to Ukrainians. Contacts grew stronger, meetings and exchanges were organized, and cooperation expanded between governments, scientific, cultural, and civic organizations. The war launched by russian aggression against Ukraine crossed out many peaceful plans, but instead strengthened cooperation in the military sphere. From the first days of the war, the United States actively helped with weapons, intelligence, instructors, training for Ukrainian soldiers, and supported the introduction and expansion of sanctions against russia. Ukrainians are very grateful to America for this: without its support and assistance, we would not have withstood the rashist onslaught.
But, as one philosopher said, “everything flows, everything changes.” With the second coming to power of President Donald Trump, U.S. policy toward Ukraine began to change. He made it clear that he does not like Ukrainians, does not tolerate President Zelensky, calls the criminal and murderer putin his friend, and stopped free military aid. But besides the president, there is also Congress and the American people. Under their pressure, weapons still had to be transferred to Ukraine through Europe and at Europe’s expense. Because of the war with Iran, the U.S. administration pushed the problems of the russian-Ukrainian war into the background. Moreover, because of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and in order to lower oil and fuel prices, Trump lifted sanctions on the sale of russian oil, which allowed the moskali to earn additional funds that go toward the war. He says this is temporary, that sanctions will be restored, and that the administration will return to solving the problem of the russian-Ukrainian war as soon as a peace agreement with Iran is concluded. This was stated at the latest G7 summit in Évian. We shall live and see. Because not all of Trump’s words and assurances can be trusted.
Politics and life inside America have also changed. The persecution of immigrants, deportations abroad, detention in immigration prisons, interference in the lives of immigrant families, and their separation leave a bitter aftertaste in the well-being of Americans. Rising prices for gasoline and diesel, as well as food, increase the cost of living for citizens and impoverish them. The slogan MAGA — “Make America Great Again” — is actually turning into “Make America Poor Again.” Americans will not forgive or forget this. Just as they will not forget the promises to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.
Resistance to official policy is now growing in America. The First Amendment Committee has been created and is holding various events in cities across the country to defend citizens’ rights and freedoms. In this spirit, a live concert broadcast took place on June 14. Here is what was said in the announcement: The First Amendment Committee is holding this powerful concert, and “Indivisible” and “No Kings” are proud to partner with it in building the strong, hyperlocal infrastructure our movement needs to win and resist the presidential spectacle. On June 14, the national concert celebrates the freedoms that belong to all of us: speech, assembly, protest, religion, press, and self-expression.
A notable speech at this concert was delivered by the famous actor and Oscar winner Robert De Niro: “Shut the f*** up.” That is exactly how Robert De Niro publicly addressed Donald Trump, delivering one of the harshest political speeches of recent years. The legendary actor accused the U.S. president of lies, inciting wars, destroying social guarantees, persecuting citizens, and authoritarian tendencies. De Niro said he could not love a country led by Trump, and his emotional speech immediately sparked a wave of discussion across America.
Here is what was said after the concert ended: the next 250 years begin with us. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a choice about what story to tell. We can allow power politics and corruption to define this moment. Or we can create an American story about people coming together — regardless of race, background, identity, beliefs, and community — to defend our rights and build a future based on the power of the people.
The United States of America is now living through a responsible and fateful time, as is Ukraine, and as is the whole world. The fate of millions of people, the fate of earthly civilization, will depend on the path that is chosen and realized. So at this time of celebrating a quarter-millennium anniversary, let us wish Americans unity in defending fundamental human values, God’s love, goodness, and prosperity.
Author: Myroslav Grekh
