Print E-mail
Important Ideas
pursuit of happiness

girl_flag4The Declaration of Independence states that everyone has certain “unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The pursuit of happiness  is the right to build your own life, to seek to live your dream. Everyone’s dreams and desires may differ, but our freedom to seek them is the same.

The Constitution does not include the words “pursuit of happiness.” Yet the U.S. Supreme Court has used this phrase in its decisions to help define the word “liberty,” which is in the Constitution. In 1923, the court stated that liberty “without doubt” includes the right to:

  • make contracts
  • create a home
  • choose any occupation
  • bring up children
  • learn
  • worship any religion
  • marry
  • enjoy those things “long recognized at common law as essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.” (Meyer v Nebraska)

Important Ideas | democracy | consent of the governed | equality | independence | liberty | representation | unalienable and natural rights