July Fourth Video: What Does Independence Mean to You?

In the Declaration of Independence, our nation's Founders forged a new country based on individual rights and equality.

In celebration of July Fourth, citizens, attorneys and federal judges from across the country reflect on what independence means, and how the U.S. courts protect their freedoms. In a brief video, participants from Washington, New York City and San Francisco also share their thoughts on two key phrases from the Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal," and "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Take a moment to watch this video and reflect on the freedoms and independence this country established over 200 years ago.

Special thanks to court staff in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of California, District of Columbia and Southern District of New York, who helped produce this video, which was shot with iPad cameras.