We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Source: The Constitution of the United States
It’s easy to forget that the truly important day in American history was not July 4th, but instead September 17th. The Delcaration of Independence, while an important document, was really just a prelude to the more important work of delimiting federal powers, unifying 13 sovereign states, and later the guaranteeing of individual freedoms. It’s nice to celebrate independence, but far better to recognize that which assures it.