US optimism formally began on the 4th of July

"Optimism is the foundation of courage." - Nicholas Murray Butler, American philosopher

With courage and resolve, on July 4, 1776, the United States formally declared independence from Great Britain with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. I don't know if optimism was specifically on the signers' minds; however, the outcome was and has always been to foster a nation of hope. 

Happy Independence Day. 

Photo credit: Trumbull's Declaration of Independence, Wikimedia Commons