Freedom is defined as having liberty and not being restricted or impeded. It also means having control, influence, and the likings of others. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Banneker, and John F. Kennedy all describe what freedom means to them. Each of their interpretations of freedom was influenced by the issues going on in their time period. They all fought for what they thought was right.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Deceleration of Independence to declare independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson defines freedom as “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In Jefferson's time period, the King of Britain was in control of the American colonies. When Jefferson talked about freedom, he meant freedom of all property-owning white men. Eventually the colonies would go to war and become independent from Britain and would become the United States.

Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson arguing against slavery. He fought for the end of slavery and involuntary solitude. Benjamin questioned if the United states was truly the ”Land of the Free” since slavery still existed at the time. In the letter he says that freedom is a gift from Heaven. Benjamin says that all people are entitled to freedom by nature. His letter would help to inspire other abolitionists to speak out against slavery. As a result, slavery would be abolished.

In John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech he defines freedom by saying “that the right of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” In Kennedy's inaugural speech, he refers to the fight for freedom of the past. Kennedy wants Americans to truly embody the meaning of freedom. His speech is still well-known today and has influenced presidents that have succeeded him.

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Banneker, and John F. Kennedy all make biblical allusions in their definitions of freedom. Their faith helped to stem their meanings of freedom. They all have influenced the people of their well as those of the present. People like them are the the reason we have the rights we have in this country.