Nearly 400 years ago, pastor John Winthrop preached a sermon in which he described a community whose example would be watched by the world.
He called it a “city upon a hill.”
That phrase eventually became one of the most recognizable descriptions of America, capturing our country’s promise of freedom and opportunity.
But Winthrop’s original message also emphasized responsibility. He urged his fellow settlers to care for one another and work toward a shared future.
A shining city depends on the people who live in it.
America’s founding gave people the freedom to shape their future
Nearly 150 years after Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, America’s founders established a country built on the idea that people have rights that government must respect.
The Declaration of Independence recognized the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Those principles gave generations of Americans permission to build businesses, raise families, and pursue the American Dream.
They also attracted immigrants seeking opportunities and fleeing violence, poverty, or tyrannical societies.
Self-government requires people who show up
In America, the government gets its authority from the consent of the people.
That gives each of us a role in deciding how we’re governed.
There are plenty of ways to take part.
- Attend a local government meeting and speak up.
- Volunteer with a community organization or help a neighbor.
- Start a business.
- Educated your neighbors about important issues.
- Contact your elected representatives about local issues.
- Work with others to solve a community problem.
These actions help citizens hold leaders accountable, serve their communities, and protect their freedoms.
The bottom line? Active citizens choose to act when they see a need or a problem to fix.
That’s how self-government works in everyday life.
Why civic duty matters for America’s future
America’s founding principles protect individual freedom, but their continued success depends on citizens exercising those freedoms and taking responsibility in their day-to-day lives.
That’s the point of representative government. It gives citizens a way to hold elected officials accountable and participate in the decision-making process.
Our system gives people the freedom to make a difference. Civic duty means choosing to take our small step to improve it and carry our founding values to future generations.
America’s next chapter belongs to us
We’ve spent the last month exploring what makes our country a shining city on a hill.
For generations, immigrants have come here seeking freedom and the chance to build better lives. Their stories remind us why America’s founding principles are worth preserving.
Now it’s our turn to carry those principles forward.
America’s next 250 years will be shaped by citizens who understand their rights, serve their communities, and take responsibility for the country’s future.
This month, take one small step to learn more about the country we share.
Explore October’s One Small Step toolkit, where you can take a sample U.S. citizenship test and discover stories of immigrants who came to America seeking a new life in our shining city on a hill.