The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.
The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Read more about American Dream: History, Literature, Political Leaders, Public Opinion, The Four Dreams of Consumerism, Ethnics, Literary Commentary, Other Parts of The World
Famous quotes containing the words american dream, american and/or dream:
“Today’s fathers and mothers—with only the American dream for guidance—extend and overextend themselves, physically, emotionally, and financially, during the best years of their lives to ensure that their children will grow up prepared to do better and go further than they did.”
—Stella Chess (20th century)
“I have fallen in love with American names,”
—Stephen Vincent Benét (1898–1943)
“It’s interesting to leave a place, interesting even to think about it. Leaving reminds us of what we can part with and what we can’t, then offers us something new to look forward to, to dream about.”
—Richard Ford (b. 1944)