A group of men gathered in Philadelphia 234 years ago and signed a document declaring the American colonies’ independence from England.

The Declaration of Independence was also an outline of what the Founding Fathers wanted for this country that would later be transformed into the U.S. Constitution.

When the Continental Congress declared their independence from England July 4, 1776, they also set in motion a movement of democracy and basic human rights that has survived to this day.

The declaration states, “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.”

Those inalienable rights were expounded upon later and put into the Bill of Rights, which gave all Americans the right to free speech, a free press, the freedom to practice any religion, the right to bear arms, the right to assemble and the right to a fair trial among others. Over the years, the Constitution has been expanded to abolish slavery, give the vote to women and those 18 and older and ensure civil rights for all Americans regardless of race, creed or religion.

It is pretty amazing that the ideals set down in the Declaration of Independence have survived more than 200 years. Its endurance is a testimony to the American people’s desire to be free of oppression. And despite constitutional crises, wars, depressions and scandals, the ideas put forth in the Declaration of Independence have always endured and changes in leadership have gone smoothly and peacefully because of our faith in a system of democracy and freedom and the idea that all men are created equal.

So when you are watching those fireworks and barbecuing with friends this weekend, take a second to thank the Founding Fathers for creating such a wonderful document. Also remember to thank all those men and women who have given their lives to protect the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Freedom is a wonderful thing, but it is never free.