On June 12, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights is observed. This document, authored by George Mason and adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1776, is recognized for its significant influence on American freedom and rights. It served as a model for both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights outlines core principles of government and fundamental liberties, asserting that power derives from the people. It includes provisions for free elections, the protection of property rights, and the free exercise of religion, among others. The declaration also emphasizes the separation of powers, stating that legislative and executive powers should be distinct from the judiciary.
Mason's declaration is noted for being the first American governing document to justify revolution against inadequate government. It articulates that the community has the right to reform or abolish a government that fails to serve its purpose. Mason, who did not sign the U.S. Constitution due to concerns about centralizing power and the absence of a bill of rights, believed in the importance of protecting individual rights.
As the nation commemorates the Declaration of Independence this year, it is also important to recognize Mason and the Virginia Declaration of Rights for their foundational role in American constitutional history.