American colonists cherished liberty as their birthright. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The American Revolution was fought from 1775-1783 to secure American independence and liberty. Liberty is enshrined in the enduring Constitution. On September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, thirty-nine delegates signed the Constitution and the Republic began its great experiment in representative government. In 1789, the First Congress proposed a Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Following the Civil War and other epic struggles, additional amendments were adopted to expand those rights. The ideals of liberty also honor the service and sacrifice of patriots, past and present, who have defended liberty and struggled to fulfill its promise for all Americans.