In a small, cramped room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, 56 men signed a document that gave birth to a nation. Inscribed in this document--the Declaration of Independence--were not only points of grievance directed at a King, but also foundational ideas aimed at the protection, enfranchisement, and sovereignty of a populace angered by years of submission to unjust rules. Ideas for a new nation. Ideas that promoted life, liberty, and happiness. Ideas that stretched the imagination of a world still so colonial in nature. Ideas that toed the line of exceptional and unmistakably fallible. Ideas, that to this day, influence the course that this nation follows, as well as countries around the world adopts. Ideas that are still as foundational as they were 240 years ago.

The crafting of the Declaration of Independence, and therefore the framing of a purpose for a new nation, serves as just one example of how ideas survive for long periods of time--forever in my opinion. And not only do ideas survive forever, they continue to have effects on the world throughout history.

In England, the constitutional monarchy structure of the state is a long living reflection of the idea for how the country's state should be structured. For thousands of years, the monarchist state of England has been in practice. And, like in England, over two dozen nations have a monarchist state structure today. Although the United Kingdom, which includes England, has voted recently to leave the European Union by referendum, the British monarchy will continue to live on--ideas never die.

Ideas also live on in legislation--this is a very important point. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution demonstrated the enactment of the ideas of freedom and opportunity for African-Americans. Moreover, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution expressed the idea of gender equality in American politics. As well as, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 showcased the idea of racial equality and anti-discrimination.

However, ideas, while they are never eradicated, do subside if they are not utilized to the extent that they are not noticed. For example, the idea of Marxism is still alive today, although not to the extent that capitalism is.

So, what's the big deal? Why does it matter that ideas live forever?

Frankly, ideas, whether prominent or subtle, are a part of our everyday lives. Without ideas, nations would not have been created, wars would not have been fought, landmark legislation would not have been passed, alliances not forged, and this article not written.

Ideas are everlasting.