what independence means to you essay

What It Means To Be Independent

Young Malaysians share their thoughts, and who their role models are

The first inkling Malaysia had of independence was when the flag was raised on Aug 31, 1957. Our fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers stood in silence for two minutes in the dark, as the British handed Malaya over to the people and their prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku had a vision for Malaysia in the wake of our independence. Every country wants to be able to stand on its own two feet. For Malaysians, the first step was to create our own identity.

Our Menara KL and the Petronas Twin Towers are examples of how high we have soared since we took hold of our country.

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Kemerdekaan, we caught up with young Malaysians studying abroad, to find out their thoughts on independence, leadership, ambition, and role models.

Here are some of the stories they shared.

What does independence mean to you? Independence is the ability to take action and make decisions on your own, knowing full well that you could rely on others, but having the courage to take a step forward on your own terms.

Who inspires you to take that extra step forward? My mother. She is the strongest woman I have ever known. She has faced all kinds of struggles throughout her life, yet she meets every challenge thrown her way with grace, strength, and an undeniable sense of faith that everything eventually works out the way it is meant to.

Through her admirable sense of independence and self-reliant nature, I have learnt that it is normal to be scared to do new things, but you should always try.

What have you achieved through your experiences of being independent? Studying abroad has probably been the biggest act of independence I have ever taken. To be honest, moving an ocean away from everyone and everything you know can be daunting.

But whilst studying abroad and breaking away from the familiar, I ended up discovering and learning new skills. I ended up being able to take care of myself without completely relying on the help of others.

Most important, I discovered myself in unexpected ways. With independence, comes the discovery that you are way more capable than you might initially think – so take that step forward!

What does independence mean to you? In my opinion, independence means reaching emotional maturity and being able to do things on your own, but also knowing when to reach out for help.

Independence means different things in different stages of one’s life. When we’re students studying abroad, we have to learn how to do things on our own. We should be confident in ourselves, but also be able to find the right people to collaborate with.

Who inspires you to take that extra step forward? My parents. They give me the freedom to try new things, and they don’t restrict me by having rigid expectations of what I’m supposed to do or who I’m supposed to become. They allow me to do what I want (in a sensible way!) and encourage me to explore my options.

Despite my freedom, I know that I always have a home here to go back to, to find comfort or to get advice.

What have you achieved through your experiences of independence? To me, it’s really important to get to know different people from different backgrounds.

Through my leadership roles – such as co-leading an acapella group at university and working on a social entrepreneurship project – I’ve been able to meet many people from all over the world.

I’ve learnt to truly listen to them, which I really appreciate, because everyone has their own stories to tell and you can learn a lot from each of them.

In my opinion, leadership is about helping yourself and others work towards common goals.

What does independence mean to you? Independence to me is about more than self-reliance. It’s about having the wisdom to know when to ask for help.

Who has been your biggest influence in guiding you towards independence? My biggest influence has always been my sister. From young, she has always been a very independent person. She is incredibly self-reliant, but when she is faced with difficult obstacles in life, she is never too proud to ask for help from those around her.

How do you think Malaysia can benefit from a more independent generation? A generation of self-reliant Malaysians who are not blinded by their pride will ensure that our country is always moving forward. Malaysia needs people who are confident in their own abilities but are not afraid to admit their shortcomings.

To many of us, independence is all about being able to lead yourself.

To me, it’s also about leading and taking care of others.

My grandmother is past her 80s now. I am her fourth grandchild. When I was much younger, I’d hide behind her when I was in trouble with my mum, and watch Cantonese dramas with her in the evenings. When I was growing up, she was one of my main protectors.

When my grandmother was still in primary school, World War II broke out. She left school, unable to continue due to the dangers held by the Japanese occupation.

Without an education, she ended up working in a factory to make ends meet, where she eventually met my grandfather and, after marriage, raised six children.

Nowadays, in her older age, she still looks out for all her surviving children, their spouses and all her grandchildren.

She doesn’t say much, but when she does, it’s to remind us to be safe, to encourage us to keep learning to do things for ourselves, to be careful with our money (I get reprimanded about this a lot!), to have ambition, and to have the independence to carve out our own path in life.

I hope that one day I’ll be able tell my children, and their children, the same thing.

If every Malaysian is able to lead one another and synergise our best qualities, then our country will have the sense of direction we need to thrive and grow.

Arielle is still figuring out how to be truly independent as a ‘young adult’. She has high hopes for Malaysia’s Gen Y and Z, and is excited for the future! Do you have any thoughts to share? Write to us at [email protected] . For more Thought Of The Week articles, click here .

The Bigger Picture: Responsibility Vs High Achievement

This article is published by the editors of Leaderonomics.com with the consent of the guest author. 

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When Thomas Jefferson penned ‘all men are created equal,’ he did not mean individual equality, says Stanford scholar

When the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, it was a call for the right to statehood rather than individual liberties, says Stanford historian Jack Rakove. Only after the American Revolution did people interpret it as a promise for individual equality.

In the decades following the Declaration of Independence, Americans began reading the affirmation that “all men are created equal” in different ways than the framers intended, says Stanford historian Jack Rakove .

With each generation, the words expressed in the Declaration of Independence have expanded beyond what the founding fathers originally intended when they adopted the historic document on July 4, 1776, says Stanford historian Jack Rakove. (Image credit: Getty Images)

On July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the historic text drafted by Thomas Jefferson, they did not intend it to mean individual equality. Rather, what they declared was that American colonists, as a people , had the same rights to self-government as other nations. Because they possessed this fundamental right, Rakove said, they could establish new governments within each of the states and collectively assume their “separate and equal station” with other nations. It was only in the decades after the American Revolutionary War that the phrase acquired its compelling reputation as a statement of individual equality.

Here, Rakove reflects on this history and how now, in a time of heightened scrutiny of the country’s founders and the legacy of slavery and racial injustices they perpetuated, Americans can better understand the limitations and failings of their past governments.

Rakove is the William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science, emeritus, in the School of Humanities and Sciences. His book, Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution  (1996), won the Pulitzer Prize in History. His new book, Beyond Belief, Beyond Conscience: The Radical Significance of the Free Exercise of Religion will be published next month.

With the U.S. confronting its history of systemic racism, are there any problems that Americans are reckoning with today that can be traced back to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?

I view the Declaration as a point of departure and a promise, and the Constitution as a set of commitments that had lasting consequences – some troubling, others transformative. The Declaration, in its remarkable concision, gives us self-evident truths that form the premises of the right to revolution and the capacity to create new governments resting on popular consent. The original Constitution, by contrast, involved a set of political commitments that recognized the legal status of slavery within the states and made the federal government partially responsible for upholding “the peculiar institution.” As my late colleague Don Fehrenbacher argued, the Constitution was deeply implicated in establishing “a slaveholders’ republic” that protected slavery in complex ways down to 1861.

But the Reconstruction amendments of 1865-1870 marked a second constitutional founding that rested on other premises. Together they made a broader definition of equality part of the constitutional order, and they gave the national government an effective basis for challenging racial inequalities within the states. It sadly took far too long for the Second Reconstruction of the 1960s to implement that commitment, but when it did, it was a fulfillment of the original vision of the 1860s.

As people critically examine the country’s founding history, what might they be surprised to learn from your research that can inform their understanding of American history today?

Two things. First, the toughest question we face in thinking about the nation’s founding pivots on whether the slaveholding South should have been part of it or not. If you think it should have been, it is difficult to imagine how the framers of the Constitution could have attained that end without making some set of “compromises” accepting the legal existence of slavery. When we discuss the Constitutional Convention, we often praise the compromise giving each state an equal vote in the Senate and condemn the Three Fifths Clause allowing the southern states to count their slaves for purposes of political representation. But where the quarrel between large and small states had nothing to do with the lasting interests of citizens – you never vote on the basis of the size of the state in which you live – slavery was a real and persisting interest that one had to accommodate for the Union to survive.

Second, the greatest tragedy of American constitutional history was not the failure of the framers to eliminate slavery in 1787. That option was simply not available to them. The real tragedy was the failure of Reconstruction and the ensuing emergence of Jim Crow segregation in the late 19th century that took many decades to overturn. That was the great constitutional opportunity that Americans failed to grasp, perhaps because four years of Civil War and a decade of the military occupation of the South simply exhausted Northern public opinion. Even now, if you look at issues of voter suppression, we are still wrestling with its consequences.

You argue that in the decades after the Declaration of Independence, Americans began understanding the Declaration of Independence’s affirmation that “all men are created equal” in a different way than the framers intended. How did the founding fathers view equality? And how did these diverging interpretations emerge?

When Jefferson wrote “all men are created equal” in the preamble to the Declaration, he was not talking about individual equality. What he really meant was that the American colonists, as a people , had the same rights of self-government as other peoples, and hence could declare independence, create new governments and assume their “separate and equal station” among other nations. But after the Revolution succeeded, Americans began reading that famous phrase another way. It now became a statement of individual equality that everyone and every member of a deprived group could claim for himself or herself. With each passing generation, our notion of who that statement covers has expanded. It is that promise of equality that has always defined our constitutional creed.

Thomas Jefferson drafted a passage in the Declaration, later struck out by Congress, that blamed the British monarchy for imposing slavery on unwilling American colonists, describing it as “the cruel war against human nature.” Why was this passage removed?

At different moments, the Virginia colonists had tried to limit the extent of the slave trade, but the British crown had blocked those efforts. But Virginians also knew that their slave system was reproducing itself naturally. They could eliminate the slave trade without eliminating slavery. That was not true in the West Indies or Brazil.

The deeper reason for the deletion of this passage was that the members of the Continental Congress were morally embarrassed about the colonies’ willing involvement in the system of chattel slavery. To make any claim of this nature would open them to charges of rank hypocrisy that were best left unstated.

If the founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson, thought slavery was morally corrupt, how did they reconcile owning slaves themselves, and how was it still built into American law?

Two arguments offer the bare beginnings of an answer to this complicated question. The first is that the desire to exploit labor was a central feature of most colonizing societies in the Americas, especially those that relied on the exportation of valuable commodities like sugar, tobacco, rice and (much later) cotton. Cheap labor in large quantities was the critical factor that made these commodities profitable, and planters did not care who provided it – the indigenous population, white indentured servants and eventually African slaves – so long as they were there to be exploited.

To say that this system of exploitation was morally corrupt requires one to identify when moral arguments against slavery began to appear. One also has to recognize that there were two sources of moral opposition to slavery, and they only emerged after 1750. One came from radical Protestant sects like the Quakers and Baptists, who came to perceive that the exploitation of slaves was inherently sinful. The other came from the revolutionaries who recognized, as Jefferson argued in his Notes on the State of Virginia , that the very act of owning slaves would implant an “unremitting despotism” that would destroy the capacity of slaveowners to act as republican citizens. The moral corruption that Jefferson worried about, in other words, was what would happen to slaveowners who would become victims of their own “boisterous passions.”

But the great problem that Jefferson faced – and which many of his modern critics ignore – is that he could not imagine how black and white peoples could ever coexist as free citizens in one republic. There was, he argued in Query XIV of his Notes , already too much foul history dividing these peoples. And worse still, Jefferson hypothesized, in proto-racist terms, that the differences between the peoples would also doom this relationship. He thought that African Americans should be freed – but colonized elsewhere. This is the aspect of Jefferson’s thinking that we find so distressing and depressing, for obvious reasons. Yet we also have to recognize that he was trying to grapple, I think sincerely, with a real problem.

No historical account of the origins of American slavery would ever satisfy our moral conscience today, but as I have repeatedly tried to explain to my Stanford students, the task of thinking historically is not about making moral judgments about people in the past. That’s not hard work if you want to do it, but your condemnation, however justified, will never explain why people in the past acted as they did. That’s our real challenge as historians.

What Independence Really Means in College

As far as new and exciting chapters in life, college ranks pretty high. For many, college will be one of the first times where you truly feel like you have real independence. And while it’s thrilling to get your first real taste of freedom it can also be daunting, after all, suddenly it’s all on you to figure out and manage. Everyone’s experiences and journey are a little bit different and we all find our own way to become independent and successful, but here are a few helpful tips to help with that transition.  

Independence is Powerful 

Adulting is all about balance. Maintaining the right equilibrium between class, studying, responsibilities, money management, free time, and time with friends are all new aspects of life that everyone is trying to figure out. In college, it all seems to happen at once. Maybe it is the first time you don’t have a set schedule, or a parent telling you what you cannot and can do, or you’re trying to make friends while getting good grades in harder classes. A big part of independence in college is taking ownership of your time and what you choose to do with it. Some people want to focus on their studies, while some focus on their social life. It’s ok if what you want to prioritize is different than your roommate or your friends because your college experience is unique and what you choose to get out of it is up to you.

But remember, while independence gives you the power of choice, you will need to strive for balance in your endeavors. Don’t push aside schoolwork completely in favor of social activities, and vice versa. Figure out what’s most important to you – make a list and outline how much time everything takes by day, by week, by month. And double-check that nothing is completely falling off your radar. It’s up to you how you want to spend your time but being an adult with the freedom to choose also means you have to deal with the consequences. So, choose wisely. 

Plan Ahead and Prepare for Things Going Wrong 

The other not-so-secret truth about adulting? Sometimes things go to hell and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. People get sick, stuff doesn’t go according to plan, and accidents happen. And while that really, really sucks, the best way to be truly independent is the plan ahead, as best you can, when things turn out bad.

This became crystal clear for me the first time I got sick in college. For the first time, I was faced with taking care of myself without the help of my parents. Finding a doctor’s office, getting myself to the doctor’s office, figuring out insurance policies, getting a prescription from the pharmacy, and getting food/water/healthy options all is something I really took for granted back home. I was definitely not prepared for all of the necessary details that needed to be worked out. On top of it all, I felt awful (I was sick after all!) You can’t plan for every disaster but having a sense of what you’ll do when something bad comes around can make the whole experience a lot easier.

A Few Key Things to Try and Plan Ahead For: 

• Do you know all your key information? Think social security number, health insurance, dental insurance, car insurance, banking information? 
• If there is an issue with your enrollment/tuition/scholarship, do you know who to contact? 
• Do you know what to do if you get sick? Do you know your insurance or local health services? 
• If you have a pet and it gets sick, do you have contact information/funds set aside?  
• If you lose or break your phone/computer/tablet/etc. do you know how to get it replaced? If you’re on your parents’ plan, do have access to the account? Do you know your family or friend’s numbers by memory or only on your phone? 
• If an emergency happens, do you have access to transportation to get home? To get to a hospital/HMO/doctor? Do your friends have your family member’s phone numbers? 
• Do you have an emergency fund? Does it have enough to cover so major problems, i.e. car breaks down, apartment/housing issue, tuition problem? 
• What happens if you’re accused of academic problems (probation, plagiarism, cheating, failing)? Do you know your rights and resources?  
• If something happens with your childcare provider, do you have a backup option? Can you bring your child(ren) to class in an emergency? 
• If you get a flat tire or have a mechanical issue, do you know where to bring your car for service and repair? Do you know a towing company? 
• Do you know what to do or who to call if something goes wrong in your dorm or apartment? Do you know the late-night people available to help if something floods, is on fire, or is unsafe? 

Things go wrong, it’s a fact of life and in many cases it’s not your fault. But being independent is all about handling these situations when they arise. Figuring out what you need ahead of time, as much as you can, will help you during a crisis or when you’re feeling low.  

Gaining independence in college is something that does not happen overnight. College is like the gateway towards adulthood and starting that journey towards independence from your parents. Many times, failing and learning lessons from failing is crucial to finding that independence, so failure or asking for help is ok. Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to grow and mature as you gain and find your own independence in college and beyond. 

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Essay on Importance of Independence

Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Independence in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Importance of Independence

The value of independence.

Independence is crucial for personal growth. It allows us to make decisions, learn from our mistakes, and develop self-confidence.

Decision Making

When we are independent, we make our own decisions. These choices shape our lives, helping us discover our likes and dislikes.

Learning from Mistakes

Independence gives us the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. This learning process helps us grow and become wiser.

Building Self-confidence

Independence builds self-confidence. When we accomplish tasks on our own, we feel capable and strong, boosting our self-esteem.

Independence, therefore, is a vital life skill.

250 Words Essay on Importance of Independence

The concept of independence.

Independence is a fundamental concept that defines the ability of an individual or a nation to self-govern, make decisions, and take actions without external influence. It’s a state of freedom that allows for self-determination and self-reliance. Independence is not just a political concept; it’s a psychological state that shapes our behaviors, attitudes, and perspectives towards life.

Personal Independence

On a personal level, independence signifies the ability to think, act, and make decisions autonomously. It fosters critical thinking, creativity, and innovation as individuals are not bound by others’ opinions or decisions. Independent individuals can shape their destiny, take responsibility for their actions, and learn from their mistakes. It’s a key factor in personal development and self-fulfillment, promoting resilience, confidence, and self-esteem.

National Independence

At the national level, independence allows a country to govern itself without foreign intervention. It enables the formulation and implementation of policies that cater to the specific needs of its citizens. National independence promotes cultural preservation, social development, and economic growth. It ensures the sovereign right of a nation to control its resources and make decisions that align with its interests.

The Interplay of Independence

Personal and national independence are interconnected. Independent individuals contribute to the development of independent nations, and vice versa. They foster a culture of responsibility, accountability, and integrity, which are essential for the growth and prosperity of a society.

In conclusion, independence is a crucial aspect of personal growth and national development. It’s a state of freedom that fosters creativity, responsibility, and resilience, shaping the course of individuals’ lives and the destiny of nations.

500 Words Essay on Importance of Independence

Independence, a fundamental aspect of human life, is the state of being free from control or influence from others. It is a multifaceted concept, encompassing political, economic, and personal dimensions. Independence is not merely an abstract ideal but a tangible quality that profoundly impacts individuals and societies.

Political Independence

Political independence is often seen as the cornerstone of a sovereign nation. It refers to a country’s ability to govern itself, free from external interference. This autonomy allows a nation to determine its laws, policies, and direction of growth. The struggle for political independence has marked significant periods in history, such as the American Revolution and India’s fight against British colonial rule. These movements were driven by the desire for self-determination and the right to control their destiny.

Economic Independence

Economic independence, another crucial aspect, refers to a nation’s ability to sustain itself without reliance on external entities. It allows a country to control its resources, manage its economy, and determine its development trajectory. On an individual level, economic independence implies the capacity to support oneself financially. It is a critical step towards personal freedom, enabling individuals to make choices that align with their values and aspirations.

Personal independence, the most intimate form, is the freedom to think, act, and make decisions without undue influence from others. It fosters self-reliance, confidence, and personal growth. Personal independence encourages critical thinking and promotes resilience, as individuals learn to navigate challenges independently. It is a key element in the development of a well-rounded, self-assured individual.

The Importance of Independence

Independence, in all its forms, is integral to progress and development. Politically, it allows nations to chart their path, reflecting the will of their citizens. Economically, it fosters resilience, enabling countries to weather global economic shifts and crises. On a personal level, independence cultivates self-esteem and resilience, empowering individuals to pursue their goals.

Independence and Interdependence

While independence is essential, it does not imply isolation. In an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of interdependence becomes equally significant. Nations must collaborate to address global challenges like climate change and pandemics. Individuals, too, thrive on social connections and collaborations. Thus, the pursuit of independence should not negate the value of interdependence.

Independence, whether political, economic, or personal, is a fundamental pillar of growth and progress. It enables nations and individuals to shape their destiny, fostering resilience, self-reliance, and empowerment. However, in our pursuit of independence, we must also acknowledge and embrace our interconnectedness, balancing independence with interdependence. This balance is the key to a prosperous and harmonious future.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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What the Declaration and the Constitution Mean to Me Essay

The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution are the two documents that define this nation more than any other. One stated the causes that prompted the patriots to take up arms against Britain during the Revolutionary War, and the other outlined the carefully balanced government that continues to exist up to this day. It would be no exaggeration to say that the Declaration and the Constitution define what it means to be American. For me, these documents not only embody the core values and base assumptions of this nation but also heavily influence the language in which we speak about the matters of importance.

I understand fairly well that any personal perception of the Declaration or the Constitution, including mine, cannot be objective. As an American citizen, I know that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration in 1776 to list the “long train of abuses and usurpations” of the British Crown that caused the Revolutionary War (“Declaration of Independence”). I also know that the Constitution was drafted by the Constitutional Convention in 1787 after the Articles of Confederation had proven woefully inadequate. Naturally, I am aware that the Constitution, as the country’s supreme law, relates to me directly. Yet discussing what either of them means for any contemporary American goes far beyond the analysis of the documents themselves, as the Constitution and the Declaration are the cornerstones of American national mythology. This is what makes it more difficult and yet more interesting to reflect on what they mean to me: the contemplation is not about two documents, but about two building blocks of American identity.

As for me, the most meaningful thing about the Declaration of Independence is its adherence to the principle of equality. The first words of its second paragraph are probably the most important ones in the entire document: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal” (“Declaration of Independence”). The gendered language of this preamble will likely appear limiting and discriminatory to a contemporary observer. However, it does not detract from the fact that, when outlining their cause for the world to see, the patriots based it on the assumption of equality and unalienable rights. For me, the Declaration is the manifestation of this wholly American idea: people have rights that no one should be able to take away, and people are equally entitled to these rights.

Yet proclaiming a principle, however noble, is one thing, and implementing it is something else entirely. Throughout more than two centuries of its existence, the US Constitution has gradually approached the idea of equality outlined in the Declaration’s preamble. Step by step, it overcame racial barriers toward social and political rights in the 15 th Amendment and gender barriers – in the 19 th Amendment (“Constitution of the United States”). While the road to equality was by no means easy or straightforward, the Constitution codified the progression on this path. For me, the Constitution is, first and foremost, the necessary complement to the core values of the Declaration: the notions of equality and irrevocable rights. These ideas lie at the core of American identity as I understand and experience it – in no small degree due to these two documents.

There is still much more to the importance of the Declaration or the Constitution – apart from shaping American identity, they also influence how the people speak. Whenever a group seeks to make a case against the perceived violation of its rights, it is likely to mimic the Declaration’s language. The most notable example would be the Declaration of Sentiments signed by the women’s rights convention that took place at Seneca Falls in 1848. The first paragraph repeats that of the Declaration of Independence almost word by word, and the second starts with the premise that “all men and women are created equal” (“Declaration of Sentiments”). I think this is one of the greatest things about the Declaration of Independence: it is so central to American political culture that people inevitably use its wording when discussing important political matters.

The Constitution also influenced the way people talk in the US – and they invoke it much more often than the Declaration. When someone feels their rights and liberties are threatened, they will likely say that the threat is “unconstitutional.” The first ten amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, indeed, outline many liberties, from the freedom of speech to the states’ rights (“Constitution of the United States”). Yet, for me, the habit of labeling perceived injustices as “unconstitutional” is more than merely a legal statement – rather, it is an important unstated assumption about the Constitution. While understanding that no law can be perfect, Americans – me included – still trust their Constitution to be fundamentally just and view it as a main line of defense against the violations of their freedoms.

As one can see, the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution mean many things for me. On the one hand, they are the cornerstone of American identity and the twofold representation of this nation’s core values: equality and protection of rights. On the other hand, they define the language the people speak – whether in political statements or in everyday discussions of perceived injustice.

“Constitution of the United States.” ConstitutionUS.com , Web.

“Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives , 2020, Web.

“Declaration of Sentiments.” National Park Service . 2015, Web.

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by Melissa Woods | Jul 19, 2019 | Improve Emotional Life

Independence, what does it mean to you?

When I think about what independence means to me, I believe that being independent means being able to take care of yourself, your own needs and making your own decisions while considering the people around you and your environment. 

What does it mean to think independently? 

First, you need to accept and believe in yourself. No matter the mistakes you’ve made or the dreams and goals that have not been achieved yet, know that you deserve all that is good.

Be emotionally independent. Be self-motivated. Be your own hero. 

Accept the world and welcome that life is not fair. Stop caring about what other people think. 

What steps you can take towards your own independence.

Being independent means being in charge of your own life and making your own decisions. Get to know yourself is really important and can give you a feeling of self-worth.

Cultivate positive relationships. Learn to self-soothe and be comfortable by yourself. Understanding how to be with yourself and how to manage your own emotions is a very important life skill that can help with the frustrations and stresses of the day. 

Independence can help increase your self-value and self-esteem. The achievement of emotional, career, financial and personal autonomy gives you a sense of accomplishment that eventually changes how you feel about yourself and how others view you.

Comment below, would love to see your thoughts.

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Background Essay: The Declaration of Independence

Background Essay: Declaration of Independence

Guiding Question: What were the philosophical bases and practical purposes of the Declaration of Independence?

• I can explain the major events that led the American colonists to question British rule.
• I can explain how the concepts of natural rights and self-government influenced the Founders and the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

Essential Vocabulary

Directions: As you read the essay, highlight the events from the graphic organizer in Handout B in one color. Think about how each of these events led the American colonists further down the road to declaring independence. Highlight the impacts of those events in another color.

In 1825, Thomas Jefferson reflected on the meaning and principles of the Declaration of Independence. In a letter to a friend, Jefferson explained that the document was an “expression of the American mind.” He meant that it reflected the common sentiments shared by American colonists during the resistance against British taxes in the 1760s and 1770s The Road to Independence

After the conclusion of the French and Indian War, the British sought to increase taxes on their American colonies and passed the Stamp Act (1765) and Townshend Acts (1767). American colonists viewed the acts as British oppression that violated their traditional rights as English subjects as well as their inalienable natural rights. The colonists mostly complained of “taxation without representation,” meaning that Parliament taxed them without their consent. During this period, most colonists simply wanted to restore their rights and liberties within the British Empire. They wanted reconciliation, not independence. But they were also developing an American identity as a distinctive people, which added to the anger over their lack of representation in Parliament and self-government.

After the Boston Tea Party (1773), Parliament passed the Coercive Acts (1774), punishing Massachusetts by closing Boston Harbor and stripping away the right to self-government. As a result, the Continental Congress met in 1774 to consider a unified colonial response. The Congress issued a declaration of rights stating, “That they are entitled to life, liberty, & property, and they have never ceded [given] to any sovereign power whatever, a right to dispose of either without their consent.” Military clashes with British forces at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill in Massachusetts showed that American colonists were willing to resort to force to vindicate their claim to their rights and liberties.

In January 1776, Thomas Paine wrote the best-selling pamphlet Common Sense which was a forceful expression of the growing desire of many colonists for independence. Paine wrote that a republican government that followed the rule of law would protect liberties better than a monarchy. The rule of law means that government and citizens all abide by the same laws regardless of political power.

The Second Continental Congress debated the question of independence that spring. On May 10, it adopted a resolution that seemed to support independence. It called on colonial assemblies and popular conventions to “adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of the people, best conduce [lead] to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general.”

Five days later, John Adams added his own even more radical preamble calling for independence: “It is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said Crown should be totally suppressed [brought to an end].” This bold declaration was essentially a break from the British.

“Free and Independent States”

On June 7, Richard Henry Lee rose in Congress and offered a formal resolution for independence: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved [set free] from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” Congress appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence, while states wrote constitutions and declarations of rights with similar republican and natural rights principles.

On June 12, for example, the Virginia Convention issued the Virginia Declaration of Rights , a document drafted in 1776 to proclaim the natural rights that all people are entitled to. The document was based upon the ideas of Enlightenment thinker John Locke about natural rights and republican government. It read: “That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights … they cannot by any compact, deprive or divest [take away] their posterity [future generations]; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

The Continental Congress’s drafting committee selected Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence because he was well-known for his writing ability. He knew the ideas of John Locke well and had a copy of the Virginia Declaration of Rights when he wrote the Declaration. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were also members of the committee and edited the document before sending it to Congress.

Still, the desire for independence was not unanimous. John Dickinson and others still wished for reconciliation. On July 1, Dickinson and Adams and their respective allies debated whether America should declare independence. The next day, Congress voted for independence by passing Lee’s resolution. Over the next two days, Congress made several edits to the document, making it a collective effort of the Congress. It adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4. The document expressed the natural rights principles of the independent American republic.

The Declaration opened by stating that the Americans were explaining the causes for separating from Great Britain and becoming an independent nation. It stated that they were entitled to the rights of the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”

The Declaration then asserted its universal ideals, which were closely related to the ideas of John Locke. It claimed that all human beings were created equal as a self-evident truth. They were equally “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” So whatever inequality that might exist in society (such as wealth, power, or status) does not justify one person or group getting more natural rights than anyone else. One way in which humans are equal is in possession of certain natural rights.

The equality of human beings also meant that they were equal in giving consent to their representatives to govern under a republican form of government. All authority flowed from the sovereign people equally. The purpose of that government was to protect the rights of the people. “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The people had the right to overthrow a government that violated their rights in a long series of abuses.

The Declaration claimed the reign of King George III had been a “history of repeated injuries and usurpations ” [illegal taking] of the colonists’ rights. The king exercised political tyranny against the American colonies. For example, he taxed them without their consent and dissolved [closed down] colonial legislatures and charters. Acts of economic tyranny included cutting off colonial trade. The colonists were denied equal justice when they lost their traditional right to a trial by jury in special courts. Acts of military tyranny included quartering , or forcing citizens to house, troops without consent; keeping standing armies in the colonies; waging war against the colonists; and hiring mercenaries , or paid foreign soldiers, to fight them. Repeated attempts by the colonists to petition king and Parliament to address their grievances were ignored or treated with disdain, so the time had come for independence.

In the final paragraph, the representatives appealed to the authority given to them by the people to declare that the united colonies were now free and independent. The new nation had the powers of a sovereign nation and could levy war, make treaties and alliances, and engage in foreign trade. The Declaration ends with the promise that “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Americans had asserted their natural rights, right to self-government, and reasons for splitting from Great Britain. They now faced a long and difficult fight against the most powerful empire in the world to preserve that liberty and independence.

Related Content

The Declaration of Independence Answer Key

The Declaration of Independence

America's Founders looked to the lessons of human nature and history to determine how best to structure a government that would promote liberty. They started with the principle of consent of the governed: the only legitimate government is one which the people themselves have authorized. But the Founders also guarded against the tendency of those in power to abuse their authority, and structured a government whose power is limited and divided in complex ways to prevent a concentration of power. They counted on citizens to live out virtues like justice, honesty, respect, humility, and responsibility.

Background Essay Graphic Organizer and Questions: The Declaration of Independence

Declaration Preamble and Grievances Organizer: Versions A and B

Thomas Jefferson Looks Back on the Declaration of Independence

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Declaration of Independence

By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 28, 2023 | Original: October 27, 2009

The Declaration of Independence was the first formal statement by a nation’s people asserting their right to choose their own government.

When armed conflict between bands of American colonists and British soldiers began in April 1775, the Americans were ostensibly fighting only for their rights as subjects of the British crown. By the following summer, with the Revolutionary War in full swing, the movement for independence from Britain had grown, and delegates of the Continental Congress were faced with a vote on the issue. In mid-June 1776, a five-man committee including Thomas Jefferson , John Adams and Benjamin Franklin was tasked with drafting a formal statement of the colonies’ intentions. The Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence—written largely by Jefferson—in Philadelphia on July 4 , a date now celebrated as the birth of American independence.

America Before the Declaration of Independence

Even after the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did–like John Adams– were considered radical. Things changed over the course of the next year, however, as Britain attempted to crush the rebels with all the force of its great army. In his message to Parliament in October 1775, King George III railed against the rebellious colonies and ordered the enlargement of the royal army and navy. News of his words reached America in January 1776, strengthening the radicals’ cause and leading many conservatives to abandon their hopes of reconciliation. That same month, the recent British immigrant Thomas Paine published “Common Sense,” in which he argued that independence was a “natural right” and the only possible course for the colonies; the pamphlet sold more than 150,000 copies in its first few weeks in publication.

Did you know? Most Americans did not know Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence until the 1790s; before that, the document was seen as a collective effort by the entire Continental Congress.

In March 1776, North Carolina’s revolutionary convention became the first to vote in favor of independence; seven other colonies had followed suit by mid-May. On June 7, the Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced a motion calling for the colonies’ independence before the Continental Congress when it met at the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. Amid heated debate, Congress postponed the vote on Lee’s resolution and called a recess for several weeks. Before departing, however, the delegates also appointed a five-man committee–including Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York–to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain. That document would become known as the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence

Jefferson had earned a reputation as an eloquent voice for the patriotic cause after his 1774 publication of “A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” and he was given the task of producing a draft of what would become the Declaration of Independence. As he wrote in 1823, the other members of the committee “unanimously pressed on myself alone to undertake the draught [sic]. I consented; I drew it; but before I reported it to the committee I communicated it separately to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams requesting their corrections….I then wrote a fair copy, reported it to the committee, and from them, unaltered to the Congress.”

As Jefferson drafted it, the Declaration of Independence was divided into five sections, including an introduction, a preamble, a body (divided into two sections) and a conclusion. In general terms, the introduction effectively stated that seeking independence from Britain had become “necessary” for the colonies. While the body of the document outlined a list of grievances against the British crown, the preamble includes its most famous passage: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The Continental Congress Votes for Independence

The Continental Congress reconvened on July 1, and the following day 12 of the 13 colonies adopted Lee’s resolution for independence. The process of consideration and revision of Jefferson’s declaration (including Adams’ and Franklin’s corrections) continued on July 3 and into the late morning of July 4, during which Congress deleted and revised some one-fifth of its text. The delegates made no changes to that key preamble, however, and the basic document remained Jefferson’s words. Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence later on the Fourth of July (though most historians now accept that the document was not signed until August 2).

The Declaration of Independence became a significant landmark in the history of democracy. In addition to its importance in the fate of the fledgling American nation, it also exerted a tremendous influence outside the United States, most memorably in France during the French Revolution . Together with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights , the Declaration of Independence can be counted as one of the three essential founding documents of the United States government.

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What Does Independence Day Mean To You Essay

Discover the personal significance of Independence Day through this heartfelt essay. Join us as we explore the deep meaning behind this celebrated occasion, reflecting on the value of freedom and its impact on our lives. Experience the excitement and positivity that Independence Day brings, as we commemorate the birth of a nation and cherish the liberties we hold dear.

What Does Independence Day Mean to You Essay: Celebrating Freedom and Reflecting on Its Significance

Independence Day is a momentous occasion that holds a special place in the hearts of Americans. It is a day filled with excitement, pride, and a deep sense of gratitude for the freedom we enjoy. But what does Independence Day truly mean? Beyond the fireworks, barbecues, and festivities, this essay delves into the personal significance of Independence Day, exploring its deeper meaning and reflecting on the value of freedom in our lives. Join us on this journey of celebration and self-reflection as we explore what Independence Day means to each of us.

The Birth of a Nation: Commemorating Freedom

Independence Day marks the birth of a nation—the day when the United States of America declared its independence from British rule. It represents the collective effort, resilience, and bravery of the founding fathers and the countless individuals who fought for liberty and justice. Independence Day is a reminder of our rich history and the sacrifices made to secure the freedoms we often take for granted.

Celebrating Freedom: A Time of Joy and Unity

Independence Day is a time of celebration, joy, and unity. It is a day when Americans come together, setting aside their differences to celebrate the shared values and ideals that define our nation. Whether it’s through parades, concerts, or community gatherings, we express our collective pride and gratitude for the privilege of living in a country that values freedom, diversity, and equality.

Freedom: A Priceless Gift

Independence Day is a poignant reminder of the value of freedom in our lives. It represents the right to self-determination, the ability to pursue our dreams, and the freedom to express ourselves. It is a precious gift bestowed upon us by the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before us. Independence Day reminds us to cherish and protect these freedoms, ensuring they endure for future generations.

Reflection and Gratitude: Remembering the Sacrifices

Independence Day prompts us to reflect on the sacrifices made by brave men and women who fought for our freedom. It is an opportunity to honor their courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to liberty. Their sacrifices serve as a constant reminder of the responsibility we have to preserve the principles upon which our nation was built.

Family, Friends, and Community: Bonding through Celebration

Independence Day brings people together—families, friends, and communities unite to celebrate the spirit of freedom. It is a time to strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and express gratitude for the love and support of our loved ones. Independence Day fosters a sense of belonging, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.

Inspiration for the Future: Empowering Change

Independence Day ignites a spirit of inspiration and hope for the future. It encourages us to envision a better world, to work towards positive change, and to uphold the principles of freedom and equality. It reminds us that we have the power to shape the future, to challenge injustice, and to create a society that embodies the values we hold dear.

What does Independence Day mean to you? It is a celebration of freedom, a time of joy and unity, and a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made for our liberties. It is a day to reflect on the significance of freedom in our lives and express gratitude for the opportunities it affords us. Independence Day brings people together, fostering a sense of belonging and inspiring positive change. Let us cherish this special day and carry its meaning with us throughout the year, honoring the legacy of those who fought for our freedom and ensuring that the spirit of independence continues to thrive.

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What is Financial Independence? Here’s a Hint — It’s Not About How Much Money You Have

Caitlin see.

• January 19, 2021
• Financial Literacy

What is financial independence? It seems like an easy question. But when you dig into the term “financial independence,” you’ll find that there’s no clear-cut definition.

A quick online search will yield answers like “not having to rely on others to meet your financial needs” or “having enough income to pay your living expenses for the rest of your life without needing to work.”

Or you’ll find more specific directives like “accumulating a nest egg that allows you to safely withdraw 4% from your retirement account each year.”

So, why are there so many different answers to such a basic question?

There’s no universal approach because each person must decide their own financial and lifestyle goals. And the journey to achieve these goals is what financial independence is all about.

Misconceptions about financial independence

Financial independence — or financial freedom — looks different for everyone. But there’s some general misconceptions about financial independence that can hinder or sabotage the process.

Do you really have to be rich?

One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea that you have to be rich to be financially independent.

This belief not only prevents people from starting their financial independence journey, but it’s downright not true. Many financially independent people live minimal to modest lifestyles that allow them to maximize their financial situation without having endless amounts of money.

It’s also not about reaching a specific dollar amount and then suddenly being free from financial worries.

For example, old school financial guidance placed $1 million as the benchmark for retiring comfortably. But depending on your lifestyle and retirement goals, you might need significantly more. Or you might be perfectly happy with substantially less.

That’s why financial independence is reflective of the individual. It factors in your hopes and dreams, your current and future lifestyles, your career and retirement goals, and so much more.

Do you need to be retired?

The idea of retirement is another factor to consider. Do you need to be retired in order to consider yourself financially independent? Before people can answer this question, there should be some agreement on what it means to retire, and one person’s definition of retirement might not match another interpretation.

You do not necessarily need to stop working in order to be financially independent. Many of those who have reached this stage continue to work, but are free to choose the work they do and are able to spend their time on work that is personally meaningful.

An aspect of financial independence is the ability to make decisions without the pressure and stress of the consideration of financial impact — or at least a reduction of those concerns. But it’s a misconception that financial independence allows for total ignorance of your money situation.

While you may give up your corporate job, many start side hustles or hobbies that bring in some money. For example, someone might start teaching piano part-time simply because they enjoy it.

That extra income isn’t strictly necessary but it does allow you to add some luxuries to your life, or stretch your nest egg even further.

Do you have to save so much that you aren’t enjoying life today?

How much you sacrifice today is up to you.

One path to reach this life stage relies on behaviors of extreme penny-pinching and attitudes of miserliness. Some proponents will spend an hour a day searching for deals to save as much money as humanly possible for any necessary household expenses.

You may be tempted to work to save 50 percent of your income, lest you never reach your goal.

But extreme frugality is not the only path. Financial independence requires looking at every aspect of your situation carefully. Lifestyle changes can have a considerable impact on this path. You may decide that you’re willing to sacrifice in some areas of your life, but you don’t want your quest to reduce the quality of the enjoyment of your life today.

Is financial independence achievable for anyone?

Financial independence is more achievable for people who have certain privileges, like a lack of a discriminative social standing, due to race, color, origin, religion, sex, etc., and a supportive and stable environment, where your earliest years of work don’t need to be in service of a struggling home environment.

This misconception about financial independence here is that the ability for one person to achieve a goal means that any other person carries the same ability: “If I could do it, so can you” — that hackneyed motivational platitude. There may be obstacles so insurmountable that financial independence is beyond the reach of a person’s lifetime.

When basic survival is under threat, thinking about ideas like financial independence is a luxury.

It’s unlikely, however, that anyone reading this article is in that position of absolute futility. But the reality is that different people have different obstacles. Some of these deterrents may only be removed through actions bigger than any one person, and different life situations call for different priorities.

At its core, financial independence is about being intentional with your money — how you make it, how you save it, and how you spend it.

What is financial independence to you?

Figuring out your own definition of financial independence is part of the journey. It’s the first step in a long process that requires commitment and intention. But it’s one of the most important steps as it’ll provide you with clarity and direction.

So, how do you figure out what financial independence means to you?

Start with some self-discovery questions. Ask yourself questions like:

What are my hopes and dreams? These might include big goals like expanding your education, pursuing a new career, starting a family, building a business, or moving to a new area. But they might also include more simple hopes and dreams, like reconnecting with loved ones or providing a stable environment for your children.

If you’ve never given yourself the opportunity to think about your hopes and dreams before, today is the best time to begin. If you’re finding it difficult to nail down, try imagining what you would like your legacy to be, what you’d like to be known for, or what you love about the people you admire the most.

What hobbies or interests would I pursue if money were no longer a concern? Many of us dropped or ignored our true interests in pursuit of jobs that paid the bills. Think about what hobbies bring you happiness and how you could build a life around those activities.

Following your passion isn’t guaranteed to be a path to financial independence, but it could lead you to interesting discoveries. For example, who knew that so many people would make a comfortable living from playing video games, an activity considered frivolous by parents of teenagers everywhere?

If your passions and skills coincide with something people need and are willing to pay for, your path is clear. A few will use their passions to convince the world that a new need exists.

But if your interests lie outside marketability, consider what you need to do to arrive at the moment where you have the financial wherewithal to pursue them without concern for earning more.

What habits (financial or other) are causing stress in my life? Unhealthy habits like making late payments or doing excessive online shopping bring more anxiety than joy. Pinpoint which habits have gone unnoticed or unchecked over time.

Consider more than just your habits with money. Good health makes it much easier to pursue financial independence. Can you make improvements in your life that encourage you to be healthier?

Sleeping better, maintaining good hygiene, increasing physical fitness, and eliminating smoking are some simple and relatively easy changes to make that not only help you achieve financial independence but make that journey more enjoyable.

What do I want my family’s future to look like? Your financial decisions have long-term effects on your entire family. Envision what you want the future to look like for each family member and for the family unit as a whole.

Take the time to discuss these goals and your intentions with your family, as well. If there are others close to you who would be affected by your decisions, involve them at a level appropriate for your relationship with them.

Use these discoveries as the foundation for establishing what financial independence means to you.

And be sure to include your partner in the discussion to ensure you’re both on the same page with your life and financial goals.

Common financial independence goals

Once you’ve figured out what financial independence means to you, you’ll need to start building specific goals that will push you forward.

Common goals related to financial independence include:

• Becoming consumer debt-free (by paying off credit cards and auto loans).
• Building a large emergency fund to cover at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses.
• Paying off your home mortgage ahead of schedule.
• Having the ability to quit, retire, or change jobs without money being the main decision factor.
• Positioning yourself to be able to start a business or pursue other dreams without fear of losing your primary income.
• Becoming entirely work optional, allowing you to choose if and when you work.
• Increasing your savings rate to put you on track for early retirement.
• Being financially secure enough to pay the bills, save and invest — all while still enjoying life without making major financial sacrifices.

These types of major financial milestones help to shape your definition of financial independence and provide you with a roadmap to achieve it.

Here’s how to stay motivated to work towards your financial goals .

Use your definition of financial independence to create a plan

Everyone’s financial independence journey is unique. We all start in different places, make different decisions, have different timelines, and set different goals.

But a well-thought-out plan can give you motivation and serve as a grounding tool if you get lost along the way.

Create action plans for each goal you set, including the strategies you plan to use to achieve them.

For example, if your immediate goal is to pay off debt, you can implement strategies like:

• Increasing your income by picking up extra shifts or starting a side hustle.
• Cutting expenses and practicing a more frugal lifestyle.
• Using the debt snowball or debt avalanche methods to stay motivated.

Your plan might focus on working your way through a priority goal, like building your emergency fund, before moving onto other goals. Or it might incorporate strategies that allow you to chip away at multiple goals at the same time.

Get serious about your savings rate and investments

If your main goal of financial independence is long-term security, you’ll need to do more than just pay off debt or live within your means.

You’ll need to increase your savings rate. And start making your money work for you by investing it.

Everyone’s risk tolerance for investing is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growing your wealth.

For example, many people choose to stick to index funds, which are generally cost-effective and don’t require you to pick individual stocks. While others choose more hands-on investment opportunities, like managing rental properties because they have the potential for large cash flow.

There are a variety of investment tools, so you’ll need to be a student of finances and do your research to find what’s right for you.

Also read: Declare Your (Financial) Independence: 4 Things You Need to be Financially Free

Financial independence is a long game

Financial independence isn’t about how wealthy you are. But rather, it’s about having the ability to choose your lifestyle without constant money-related stress. It’s about picturing the life you want to lead, and then taking financial steps to build your own path.

But financial independence doesn’t just happen overnight. So, your journey will likely ebb and flow as you move through different stages of life.

Therefore, you’ll need to re-evaluate your financial independence goals and plan periodically to ensure you’re on the path that fits your current and future needs.

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David @ Filled With Money · January 19, 2021 at 9:05 pm

Financial independence, like all aspects of personal finance, is incredibly personal. Solid point about needing to have a plan in place, otherwise you are aimlessly walking around hoping something sticks.

It should be in the majority of people’s goals.

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What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

It almost time! Millions of Americans across the country Monday are preparing to witness the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse as it passes over portions of Mexico, the United States and Canada.

It's a sight to behold and people have now long been eagerly awaiting what will be their only chance until 2044 to witness totality, whereby the moon will completely block the sun's disc, ushering in uncharacteristic darkness.

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The total solar eclipse is today: Get the latest forecast and everything you need to know

What is an eclipse?

An eclipse occurs when any celestial object like a moon or a planet passes between two other bodies, obscuring the view of objects like the sun, according to NASA .

What is a solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon comes in between the Earth and the sun, blocking its light from reaching our planet, leading to a period of darkness lasting several minutes. The resulting "totality," whereby observers can see the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, presents a spectacular sight for viewers and confuses animals – causing nocturnal creatures to stir and bird and insects to fall silent.

Partial eclipses, when some part of the sun remains visible, are the most common, making total eclipses a rare sight.

What is a lunar eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon and the sun are on exact opposite sides of Earth. When this happens, Earth blocks the sunlight that normally reaches the moon. Instead of that sunlight hitting the moon’s surface, Earth's shadow falls on it.

Lunar eclipses are often also referred to the "blood moon" because when the Earth's shadow covers the moon, it often produces a red color. The coloration happens because a bit of reddish sunlight still reaches the moon's surface, even though it's in Earth's shadow.

Difference between lunar eclipse and solar eclipse

The major difference between the two eclipses is in the positioning of the sun, the moon and the Earth and the longevity of the phenomenon, according to NASA.

A lunar eclipse can last for a few hours, while a solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes. Solar eclipses also rarely occur, while lunar eclipses are comparatively more frequent. While at least two partial lunar eclipses happen every year, total lunar eclipses are still rare, says NASA.

Another major difference between the two is that for lunar eclipses, no special glasses or gizmos are needed to view the spectacle and one can directly stare at the moon. However, for solar eclipses, it is pertinent to wear proper viewing glasses and take the necessary safety precautions because the powerful rays of the sun can burn and damage your retinas.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, Doyle Rice, USA TODAY