A Living Legacy: Why the Declaration of Independence Still Matters

Speaker Friday, June 20, 2025

Nearly 250 years ago, the Founding Fathers signed a document whose ideals continue to challenge our sense of civic duty and shape the American spirit. The Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical artifact—it remains a living call to reflect, engage, and uphold the principles upon which the nation was built. Recognized as the most important philosophical-political statement of principles in world history, the Declaration has guided the United States through times of trial and transformation. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its birth on July 4, 2026, Dr. Eli Merritt, a political historian at Vanderbilt University, has launched a nationwide speaking tour to invite Americans into a deeper conversation. This milestone is a summons to national reflection and an opportunity to rekindle the American spirit. Join Dr. Merritt in exploring the enduring principles of this foundational document—and carry the discussion forward with your family, friends, neighbors, and especially the rising generation.

Eli Merritt is a political historian at Vanderbilt University who specializes in the founding era of the United States. He is the author of the award-winning book Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution. A frequent public speaker, Dr. Merritt lectures widely on the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution, as well as on themes of patriotism, civic virtue, leadership, and the intersection of demagogues and democracy. His writing has appeared in academic journals and national publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Chicago Tribune. He also publishes The Story of the American Revolution on Substack, available at www.elimerritt.substack.com.

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