"America's greatness has been the greatness of a free people who shared certain moral commitments. Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive." - John William Gardner

"The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals of American society."
- Robert F. Kennedy

"The freedom to be your best means nothing unless you are willing to do your best." - Colin Powell

"Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!" - Andrew Carnegie

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." - Thomas Jefferson

"Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character." - George W. Bush

As the parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence was being signed, Samuel Adams declared: "We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient." - Samuel Adams

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

"Citizenship comes first today in our crowded world... No man can enjoy the privileges of education and thereafter with a clear conscience break his contract with society. To respect that contract is to be mature, to strengthen it is to be a good citizen, to do more than your share under it is to be noble." - Isaiah Bowman

"I have sworn upon the alter of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." - Thomas Jefferson

"...And the rocket's red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night,
That our flag was still there.
Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." - Francis Scott Key

"I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost." - Frederick Douglass

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." - Benjamin Franklin, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence