A Deeper Look at the Year America Declared Freedom But Not for All.

What Happened in 1776?

On July 4th, 1776, the United States declared its independence from British rule. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that “all men are created equal” a bold statement of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

But in reality, millions of Black people were still enslaved, denied the very freedom that document claimed to promise.

Freedom for Whom?

While white colonists were breaking free from Britain, Black people remained in bondage. Enslaved Africans were considered property under U.S. law sold, inherited, beaten, and bred for profit. The founding ideals of America did not include them.

Even as the Revolutionary War was fought for “liberty,” enslaved people were forced to serve in armies or labor on plantations to support the cause without receiving any freedom in return.

Why 1776 Still Matters?

1776 is a pivotal moment in American history not only because of the independence it promised, but because of the freedom it denied.

• It marks the beginning of a national identity rooted in contradiction: liberty for some, oppression for others.

• It’s a reminder that freedom in the U.S. has always been selective and that Black Americans have been fighting for true liberation since the very birth of this nation.

• The ideals written in 1776 became the very standard by which future generations would demand justice, equality, and emancipation.

Understanding this date means understanding the deep historical roots of inequality and why celebrations like Juneteenth exist.

The Paradox of Independence

This is the dual reality of 1776:

• A nation claimed its freedom from tyranny

• While simultaneously upholding slavery as an institution

Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration, owned over 600 slaves in his lifetime a stark contradiction that symbolizes the painful complexity of America’s founding.

How Did Enslaved People Respond?

Many Black people saw the chaos of the Revolution as a chance to fight for their own freedom. Some joined the British army, which promised emancipation. Others aligned with the colonists, hoping for liberty in return.

But when the war ended, most were either re-enslaved or forgotten by both sides.

1776 →Juneteenth: The Long Journey to Freedom

It would take nearly 90 more years for slavery to be abolished in the U.S.

• 1863: Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation

• 1865: Enslaved people in Galveston, TX finally learned they were free - this became Juneteenth

• Today: Juneteenth reminds us that freedom in America has always been delayed for some

Why This History Matters

Understanding 1776 from all angles helps us:

• Confront the truth about America’s founding

• Honor the resilience of those who were left out

• Connect the roots of Juneteenth to the false promise of independence in 1776

• Recognize how long Black communities have had to fight for the rights others were born into

We can celebrate progress  but we must also remember the full story.

Freedom delayed is not freedom denied but it must be acknowledged, taught, and never repeated.