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 our nations great history, we started out with these words emblazoned on a piece of parchment. Our forefathers boldly presented this document, the Declaration of Independence to a despot that enslaved through high taxation and a self proclaimed 'divine right' to rule.
While our country was born on this proclamation, it's dream was never realized by all who lived on American soil. Many peoples were burdened with a very real slavery that was hidden from the light by the guise of States Rights.
This contradiction would be partly solved by a great man who would become president, Abraham Lincoln. Yet even the War between the States (the civil war) could not fully resolve the inequality that slavery in America had caused.
It would not be until many, many years later that a man would come along that could so capture a world with his message that we would all stand up and take notice. With his Christian teachings, his Gandhi type insistence on non-violent protest and his spell binding oratory, Doctor King inspired a nation to recognize a heinous truth.
As a nation we were forced to recognize our prejudice. Doctor King died for his cause, martyred by a mad man, but his legacy lives on. Today we honor a King, Doctor Martin Luther King. 
Tomorrow, 46 years from his great speech in Washington, we honor his legacy as we inaugurate the first black man to become president of this once prejudice and dividend nation.
Even with all the economic problems and the anger and divisiveness and strife around the world; Today, on this very special day, I am proud to be an American!
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