The Pursuit of Happiness: An Inquiry into Our Nation's Founding Principles

FAIN: BC-50226-04

Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (Providence, RI 02903-3308)
Sara J. Archambault (Project Director: May 2004 to September 2006)

A series of activities that explore the principles of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" including a grant program, a radio and public television series, and a student poster/essay contest.

Codifying the values that would guide our nation in the “Declaration of Independence, ” Thomas Jefferson named “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” among the fundamental rights guaranteed to Americans. Taking inspiration from these words, RICH will engage Rhode Islanders across the state in an investigation into our nation’s founding principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” beginning in September 2004. RICH seeks $44,330 in “We the People” funds to support: a regrants initiative, a public forums radio series, a film series, and a public television series.