Virginia’s Piedmont region welcomed one of America’s most intellectually advanced Founding Fathers when Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743. Jefferson’s intellectual journey began at the College of William & Mary, where he embraced the Enlightenment philosophy. This philosophical foundation, which emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of self-government in America.

Jefferson started his national impact by drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. At age 33, he wrote the Declaration of Independence and established two fundamental governing powers and human equality principles. Despite the horrible contrast between its moral code and Jefferson’s practice of slavery, it established a guiding framework for the nation. During his presidency from 1801 to 1809, Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase, which nearly doubled America’s size by obtaining 828,000 square miles through a payment of $15 million.

The dual nature of Jefferson’s historical record remains controversial to this day. His writings established the most elegant defense of human freedom in American history, but he had over six hundred enslaved people throughout his lifetime. The 50th anniversary of the Declaration’s release happened on July 4, 1826, when Jefferson passed away.

Modern political discussions in America frequently use the concepts and statements Jefferson created. His architectural and intellectual monuments range from the Jefferson Memorial in Washington to the University of Virginia’s Rotunda. His belief that “the earth belongs to the living” motivates contemporary generations to revitalize democratic ideas.