Born in the U.S.A. (Bruce Springsteen)

History's Best Selling Books of 1779

1. A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom

   Released in 1779 by Thomas Jefferson

   A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, introduced by [Thomas Jefferson] in 1779, represents a landmark achievement in the struggle for individual liberty and secular governance. Although it faced years of political struggle before its passage in 1786, its initial drafting and presentation in 1779 marked a decisive moment in post-Revolutionary America. This document challenged the deeply entrenched tradition of state-supported religion, advocating instead for the radical idea that religious belief should be a matter of individual conscience, free from governmental coercion or interference. Its significance lies in its early articulation of principles that would later become cornerstones of American constitutional law.