July was called Iulius in honor of Julius Caesar. Ironically, the month was named in 44 B.C., the year of Caesar's assassination. For Americans, July brings vacations and picnics, but primarily reminds us of the Fourth of July, our Independence Day. On this day in 1776, a unanimous declaration of the thirteen United States of America was issued. Here is what, in essence, it said: the Creator of the universe has granted people certain unalienable rights—not the king, not the emperor, not the president have given these rights—only God. These rights, therefore, cannot be revoked by any person, regardless of position or power.

This assertion is unique in history. Individuals had previously existed at the pleasure of the crown and were denied their liberty at the whim of the ruling class. But this incendiary document, the Declaration of Independence, says even more. It asserts that the point of government is the maintenance of these rights for the citizens, and if government ever works against the people, "it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it." Remember that this idea was written and implemented by men who were forming a government at the time. Thus, they were, in effect, giving permanent permission to the citizens to tear down the very government they were installing.

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

As Freemasons and Americans, let us take a moment to savor the wisdom and bravery of these men long dead whose courageous legacy lives on.

Seán O'Néill is a psychotherapist in private practice in Annandale, Virginia. He is a member of the Education Committee of the Scottish Rite Valley of Alexandria, Virginia, the District Educational Officer for Virginia Masonic District 1-A, Lodge Education Officer of Ft. Hunt Daytime Lodge No. 353, and Senior Warden of Skidmore Daylight Lodge No. 237. He is also a member of Knights Templar, Shrine, and Allied Masonic Degrees, a patron of the Eastern Star, and a senior advisor to the International Order of DeMolay.