I think I'd better explain the "1776" comment a bit better: America was not the only country to have a great revolution. Starting almost a century earlier, and

I think I'd better explain the "1776" comment a bit better: America was not the only country to have a great revolution. Starting almost a century earlier, and (in part following america's example) up to this day, many countries have seen revolutions or reforms. The world has continued to evolve and grow. Americans are often taught of American exceptionalism, that an enlightened America is (was) alone in the dark. Perhaps (nearly) so in 1776; But the fact today is that America is no longer the only nation with a liberal world view, social progressiveness and openness to diverse views. Now many other nations stand beside it or even ahead of it. This is not a bad problem to have of course (or even a problem at all! )