POBNEWS24, Dhaka July 4, 2026: In that historic moment, they stood for a belief that they believed was a natural and fundamental right of man—the right to govern himself.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and to protect these rights, government is instituted. The consent of the people is the basis of government.’
After justifying the decision to gain independence in the context of long-standing grievances and differences with England, our founding fathers declared, ‘These united colonies are free and sovereign states, and are justly entitled to that status.’ They then pledged to stand by that declaration at the risk of their lives, property, and sacred honor.
It was a bold declaration. For more than two centuries, America’s Declaration of Independence has rightly captured the imagination of people around the world. It has inspired people to fight against oppression and to achieve the right to self-determination.
In the words of President Trump, ‘With a piece of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history.’
But it was not just a declaration. Americans made the dream of building a free and sovereign nation a reality and risked their lives to achieve it.
The 56 brave men who signed our Declaration of Independence knew that if they failed, they could be sentenced to death.
They knew that a long and difficult war lay ahead, a war that many of them might not survive. Yet they stood firm in their ideals and put America first.
Today, under President Trump, we are once again prioritizing America First.
Then, as now, America First means America is not alone. During the War of Independence, Americans received vital support from their allies.
Today, we are pursuing policies that work for the benefit of the American people. Similarly, Bangladeshi leaders are pursuing policies that are helpful to the well-being of the people of Bangladesh. And in this way, we often find areas where both countries can benefit. These include the US-Bangladesh bilateral trade agreement signed in February and the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation in the energy sector signed in May. These are helping to increase economic growth and investment in both countries. That is the essence of diplomacy.
So today, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, we are not only remembering our founding ideals. We are also remembering the enduring role of diplomacy, which has shaped our nation’s path and shaped America’s influence around the world.
Our events to mark this historic milestone in America’s founding are part of the Freedom 250 global initiative, a celebration of the founding ideals of freedom, democracy, and liberty.
Freedom 250 is not just a look back; it is a launchpad for the future. Under President Trump’s vision, we are forging new partnerships, advancing innovation, and charting a new era of diplomacy that will carry us forward for the next 250 years.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we are deeply grateful to our friends around the world. Among them are the people of Bangladesh.
We invite you to celebrate America’s Birthday with us during America Week throughout the first week of July and throughout 2026. Let us celebrate together our shared commitment to freedom, friendship, and a shared future.
