It is no accident that one particular idea—that “all men are created equal”—is found throughout the letters, notes, speeches, and other primary documents of America. From Founding to present, that one idea has been the source from which all the blessings of American liberty flow and the starting point of every great American debate. It is an idea that defines our American story and shapes who we are as citizens.  

To help explore that grand American idea, Ashbrook is pleased to announce a new publication: The American Idea. At its heart are three of the most famous expressions of the American idea from three different centuries of American history: the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. These documents, presented with short introductions and discussion questions, are supported by eight other documents that reveal the rich complexity of the American story, all the while holding fast to the foundational American idea of equal freedom for all individuals.

Please provide your name and email below to receive a free digital version of The American Idea delivered to your inbox immediately. Paperback copies can be ordered for $10 each.