Which phrase from the Declaration of Independence celebrated by America250 lists three unalienable rights?

The Declaration of Independence lists “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as three unalienable rights. The phrase remains one of the best-known passages connected with America250.

The sentence appears near the beginning of the Declaration’s second paragraph. It argues that these rights are inherent and that governments are established to secure them. The document then says that legitimate government derives its powers from the consent of the governed.

The wording reflects Enlightenment political thought, especially ideas associated with John Locke. Locke famously wrote about life, liberty, and property; Jefferson’s formulation replaced property with the pursuit of happiness, creating a distinctive statement of political ideals.

The phrase is not a list of guaranteed outcomes or a promise of equal wealth. In the Declaration’s context, it is an argument about natural rights and the purpose of government. Its language later influenced American political rhetoric, legal interpretation, and civic education.