SPIRIT OF 1776 - The Power of the Spoken Word
By Don Amador
July 6, 2026
A few weeks ago, a noted political historian in
Sacramento encouraged me to do something I had never considered before. On the
morning of July 4, he suggested that I stand on the front porch of our ranch
home, nestled among the oak woodlands west of Cottonwood, California, and read
the Declaration of Independence aloud—in a strong, clear voice—to anyone
gathered to hear it.
In my case, the audience consisted of my wife, Ellen, and
our faithful dog, Sadie.
He also suggested that, in some small way, I might be
joining what he hoped would become a nationwide "town crier"
tradition as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration.
Having read the Declaration of Independence many times
over the years—but never aloud—I thought it was an excellent idea. As
Independence Day approached, I practiced reading it throughout the house. With
each rehearsal, I found myself increasingly moved by its language and sensed
that this would be more than simply reading a historic document.
Still, nothing prepared me for what happened when I
stepped onto the porch and began speaking those words.
Almost immediately, I was struck by the monumental weight
of the Declaration. Reading it aloud gave new life to its carefully crafted
arguments and the long list of legitimate grievances against the tyranny and
injustices imposed by the British Crown. The words no longer felt like history
preserved on a page. They became a living testimony to courage, conviction,
sacrifice, and an unyielding belief that liberty was worth every risk.
I also found myself overwhelmed with admiration for the
fifty-six men who pledged "their Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred
Honor" by signing that remarkable document. They fully understood the
consequences of their actions, yet they signed anyway, believing future
generations deserved the opportunity to live in freedom.
As someone who has spent much of my life speaking before
audiences, I was genuinely surprised by my emotional reaction. Speaking the
Declaration aloud gave me a far deeper appreciation for its gravity, its
timeless message, and its enduring influence—not only on the birth of the
United States, but on the cause of liberty around the world.
From this day forward, I intend to read the Declaration
of Independence aloud every Fourth of July. It is my personal way of honoring
our Founders, their families, and the generations of American service members
who have sacrificed over the past 250 years to preserve the freedoms we enjoy
today.
Perhaps more importantly, it serves as a reminder that freedom
is never self-sustaining. Every generation has a responsibility to understand
it, defend it, and pass it on.
This Independence Day, I encourage others to try the same
simple exercise. Gather your family, your friends, or even just yourself. Stand
on your porch, in your backyard, or in a local park, and read the Declaration
of Independence out loud. You may
discover, as I did, that some words are meant not only to be read—but to be
heard.
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