American Values

American values include tolerance, liberty, and innovation.

William Penn was a Quaker, and was in danger of being prosecuted in England. He wanted a colony that accepted all kinds of religions and backgrounds, so he founded Pennsylvania. Penn called this the "Holy Experiment" in religious tolerance. The Amish are an example of a people who still practice their religion freely, just as the first Quakers did.

Liberty is another American value. In 1776, the representatives of the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock was the first to sign it, and he signed it very big. He said, "There, I guess King George will be able to read that without his spectacles."

Immigration boomed from 1892 to 1954. Aside from escaping religious intolerance, many families moved to America because of lack of education, jobs, or food in their home countries. People from all over the world came to America to seek a better life. The trip was sometimes two weeks by boat, but it was worth it for those seeking liberty.


Immigrants found the freedom to be creative in America, and we've always embraced innovation. You may think of New York as a booming city of skyscrapers and lights, but did you ever wonder how it was built? It was built by immigrants. Thomas Edison also made it a great place to live. He invented the light bulb. On September 4, 1882, the first electric lights switched on at Pearl Street in New York.

American values are what makes America America.