250 years ago, 56 delegates from 13 newly independent states gathered to proclaim independence from Great Britain and formally launch an exceptional new nation. But the conversations that built this new nation were not limited to Independence Hall.
The Declaration of Independence was a formal expression of thousands of conversations held throughout the colonies, creating a true “expression of the American mind.”
Today, we continue on this tradition of conversations and declarations with a new Declaration of American Ideals, highlighting powerful common ground surrounding our nation’s founding ideals of freedom and equality.
This declaration stems from the “We The People” project, a unique national initiative to define shared American values led by the Napolitan Institute leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.
We invite all to read, embrace and amplify this declaration as a continuation of our nation’s founding ideals, and as a guiding document for the nation’s next 250 years and beyond.
From "We the People" to A Declaration of American Ideals
The “Declaration of American Ideals” is the result of the “We the People” project, an initiative led by the Napolitan Institute.
The conversation included over 2,400 participants, ensuring representation from every U.S. Congressional District. These participants, carefully selected to reflect national demographics, shared over 1.6 million words detailing their views on freedom and equality. Advanced AI models then distilled this extensive dialogue into core summary statements, which form the basis for the ideals presented in this Declaration.
Each substantive element of the Declaration received better than 70% agreement from those participating, and was approved by at least two-thirds of Congressional Districts.