June 15, 2010 | By Amanda J. Reinecker Essay Contest: What does the 4th of July mean to Americans? The 4th of July marks the anniversary of that glorious day in 1776 when we, as a new nation, declared to the world our independence from monarchs and despots in favor of self-government based on "self-evident" truths that, unlike governments, transcend time and mankind.  These truths -- "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" -- form the philosophical basis of our government. They define us as a nation and set us apart from all other nations. Upon completion of this key document, chief author Thomas Jefferson exclaimed: "My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!" America's Declaration of Independence was conceived in response to the British monarch's transgressions against the intrinsic rights and liberties of all men. It was a statement that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not man's to define; they are his to defend. Today, we see these principles and truths again trampled by reckless policies that empower the government to define what is best for its citizens. The rushing tide of big government is pulling us further away from our national heritage, making Jefferson's concerns ever more pressing.  "How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of…" We know members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation share these concerns. More and more Americans are calling for a return to the timeless principles that inspired the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. And we must be vigilant in declaring these principles to be true and relevant. That's why we're encouraging each of our members and supporters to participate in USA Today's essay contest, by submitting your thoughts on this question: "What you think the nation needs to remember this Independence Day? What are the messages you would like to share with other Americans?" The deadline for essay submissions is June 21. Please send all entries to letters@usatoday.com. So what do you think Americans need to remember on Independence Day? Are the first principles that underlie our nation being adequately considered in Washington today? The Heritage Foundation has some ideas. You may also want to check out this impressive collection of Fourth of July speeches from the University of Missouri's digital Library. Let your fellow Americans know what the 4th of July really means and why it is still relevant today. Send your essay submissions to letters@usatoday.com. Let us show our fellow countrymen what precious blessings they are in possession of and why we must always work to preserve them.   Carl Ray Louk "FRIENDSHIP NEVER ENDS" SG-1996 "LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY" SG-2000 "THE PHOENIX SHALL RISE" SD "EVEN A MAN WHO IS PURE IN HEART AND SAYS HIS PRAYERS BY NIGHT, MAY BECOME A WOLF WHEN THE WOLFBANE BLOOMS AND THE AUTUMN MOON IS BRIGHT." LT-1941 "FLESH OF MY FLESH; BLOOD OF MY BLOOD; KIN OF MY KIN WHEN SAY COME TO YOU, YOU SHALL CROSS LAND OR SEA TO DO MY BIDDING!" CVTD-1895 "FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE, FOR HATE SAKE I SPIT MY LAST BREATH AT THEE" CA-1895  "I HAVE BEEN, AND ALWAYS SHALL BE YOUR FRIEND" Spock  "TRICK OR TREAT, TRICK OR TREAT CANDY IS DANDY BUT MURDER, OH MURDER, IS SO SWEET" CRL-2003  "EYE OF NEWT, AND TOE OF FROG, WOOL OF BAT, AND TONGUE OF DOG ADDER'S FORK, BLIND-WORM'S STING, LIZARD'S LEG, AND OWLET'S WING. FOR A CHARM OF POWERFUL TROUBLE, LIKE A HELL-BROTH BOIL AND BABBLE. DOUBLE, DOUBLE, TOIL AND TROUBLE, FIRE BURN, AND CALDRON BUBBLE" WS MySpace.com: www.myspace.com/carlraylouk http://www.myspace.com/carlraylouk Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : LouksHauntedGraveyardhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/LouksHauntedGraveyard/ Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk/