During this time frame out nation expanded greatly and set the foundation to become a global superpower. Our unique system of government is the first successful republic of the modern era. Our unique peoples are made of immigrants, natives, indigenous peoples and descendants of slavery. The American people are inventive, ingenious and hardworking: we are pioneers on all fronts. We derived our foundational ideals of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness on the ideas from The Enlightenment and made them uniquely American. We are all a part of this tradition and will maintain it for posterity.