The United States of America celebrated on the fourth of last July its two hundred and forty-ninth anniversary of independence. This occasion marks the country’s separation from Britain, as the U.S. Congress declared on July 4, 1776, the independence of the United States from the British Empire. In 1783, following the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the American War of Independence officially came to an end, and all thirteen colonies were recognized as independent and no longer under British rule. This independence was the outcome of numerous endeavors, including by a group of American statesmen who later came to be known as the Founding Fathers of the United States, the architects of its guiding principles and constitutional foundations.

The Treaty of Paris, named after the French capital where it was concluded in 1783, was signed between the United States and Britain with the aim of bringing an end to the years-long war on American soil against British colonial rule. The treaty successfully ended the conflict between the two sides and marked the cessation of British colonial presence, defined the geographic boundaries of the United States, and established provisions concerning prisoners of war, as well as the return of all American territories seized by Britain. It is noteworthy that out of all the articles agreed upon, only one remains in effect today—the first article of the treaty, which affirms the independence of the United States of America.

The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of statesmen who worked diligently to unite the thirteen American colonies— Georgia, New Hampshire, Virginia, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They also took part in the battles of the War of Independence, which lasted for eight years, and through their persistent efforts, they succeeded in securing independence from Britain. Their contributions did not end there; they later played a central role in drafting the Constitution of the United States, which remains in effect to this day.

The term “Founding Fathers” was first used in the twentieth century, coined by Warren Harding in 1916. Historians generally agree that this designation refers to the most prominent early American statesmen who participated in the War of Independence, contributed to drafting the Constitution, and played a role in establishing the nation’s first government. Most historians concur that the term applies specifically to seven figures: George Washingtonk John Adams, John Jay, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. Four of these founders—Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison—went on to serve as Presidents of the United States. Hamilton was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury, Jay became the first Chief Justice and contributed to shaping several laws, and Franklin served as President of Pennsylvania and was among the most influential diplomatic figures of his time.

The term “Founding Fathers” is often used broadly to refer to all the politicians who signed the Declaration of Independence. It is worth noting, however, that four of the seven principal Founding Fathers were not among the signatories—George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. It is also important to clarify a common misconception that the terms “Founders” and “Framers” refer to the same group. In fact, the “Framers” were the fifty-six delegates appointed to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 for the purpose of drafting and shaping the first proposed constitution of the new nation. In other words, the Framers were those who laid out the articles and laws of the Constitution within a structured “framework” that defined its legislative details. It should also be noted that only thirty-nine of these delegates were present to sign the Constitution, meaning that not all of those who participated in drafting it were among its signatories.

The U.S. Constitution is considered one of the oldest written legal frameworks still in force since its drafting in 1787—more than two centuries ago. Although its proclamation was issued on the fourth of July, it was formally signed on the seventh of August of the same year. The Constitution laid out the foundational principles for the establishment of the United States and its emergence as an independent new nation, and it has since served as a model for more than one hundred countries in drafting their own constitutions.

The Founding Fathers, along with the signatories of the Constitution, came from diverse backgrounds and professions, and not all of them held political positions before independence. What they did share, however, was an upbringing in intellectually engaged environments and access to a solid education. Most of them also joined the military and participated in the battles of the War of Independence. Despite their struggle against the colonial rule of the British Empire, a significant number of the Founding Fathers and those involved in drafting the Constitution were themselves of British origin, born to British immigrant families in the colonies on American Lands.

On the other hand, when discussing the Founding Fathers and their efforts in securing America’s independence and shaping its emergence as a new nation, it is essential to acknowledge the role of the “Founding Mothers,” whose contributions provided invaluable support in achieving independence. Among the most prominent of these figures is Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers. She supported him before independence as an adviser and steadfast advocate, and after he became the second President of the United States, her role as First Lady for two presidential terms significantly strengthened his positions and the causes she championed to advance the young nation. She also served as an adviser to her son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, contributing to key social issues. Abigail Adams is considered one of the earliest women in American history to have been both the wife of a President and the mother of a President, and she was sometimes referred to as “Mrs. President” in recognition of her influential role in supporting national causes and public affairs.

In conclusion, a specialized committee was established in Congress in 2016 to prepare for the following year’s celebrations marking the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of independence. Its mandate includes organizing events and programs related to the occasion, as well as presenting exhibitions of historical landmarks and notable sites that bore witness to the efforts made by the Founding Fathers in their pursuit of independence.