Walter Isaacson on the Sentence That Created America

If America has a mission statement, it is this:   “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.”  In a special conversation recorded at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson discusses his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, and the extraordinary story behind the Declaration of Independence’s most famous line. What happened behind the scenes as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and the other founders argued over, revised, and refined the words that would become America’s founding creed? Plus: the tension between individual liberty and the common good, the complicated relationship between Jefferson and Adams, and the enduring challenge of living up to ideals that were revolutionary in 1776 and remain aspirational today. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices