Each year on April 13, Americans have an opportunity to reflect on the birth of Thomas Jefferson, one of the most influential and complicated figures in the nation’s founding. Born in 1743 in colonial Virginia, Jefferson is best known as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and as the nation’s third president. His words helped define the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government that remain central to the American identity.

Jefferson’s role in American history is enormous. In 1776, at just 33 years old, he drafted the Declaration of Independence, giving lasting language to the colonies’ case for freedom. The document’s assertion that “all men are created equal” became one of the most important statements in American history, even as the nation struggled, and still struggles, to fully live up to it.

Beyond the Declaration, Jefferson served the young republic in many ways. He was governor of Virginia, secretary of state, vice president, and eventually president from 1801 to 1809. During his presidency, the United States completed the Louisiana Purchase, dramatically expanding the nation’s size and future possibilities. He also supported exploration of the American West through the Lewis and Clark expedition, helping lay the groundwork for a broader national vision.

Jefferson was a champion of limited government, religious liberty, and education. He believed that a free people required both independent thought and informed citizenship. His influence can still be seen in the principles of constitutional government and in the American belief that liberty must be protected not only by law, but by an engaged and educated public.