Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) joins
all Azeri-Americans in celebration of the U.S. Independence Day, July
4th. 236 years ago on this day, the Second Continental Congress adopted
the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the independence of
American colonies from Great Britain. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson as its
principal author, the Declaration of Independence provided for
unalienable rights of Americans to "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness". For over two centuries, these basic but fundamental rights
attracted millions of people around the world to call America a new
home. Consequently, these words of Jefferson also defined our nation, a
land of free people of diverse cultures and faiths, all pursuing their
own American dream.
The American ideals of freedom and
equality for all are not alien to Azerbaijani people. In 1918, Azeris
were blessed with the ability to build a first parliamentary democracy
in the Middle East and the Muslim world. A year later, after meeting
with Azerbaijani delegation at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference,
President Woodrow Wilson drew a concise parallel between Azerbaijani and
American ideals by saying: "There came in a very distinguished
group of gentlemen from Azerbaijan. I was talking to men who talked the
same language that I did in respect of ideals , in respect of
conceptions of liberty, in conceptions of right and justice". As a
vibrant community present in the United States for over 50 years,
Azeri-Americans are proud of this historic recognition.
Members of Azerbaijani-American Council join in celebration of our way
of life and wish all fellow citizens prosperity, peace and success in their
pursuit of happiness.
God Bless America!
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