How American energy helped build 250 years of freedom and opportunity

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a brave group of risk-takers believed that liberty was worth the cost and declared their future would rely not on the rule of a distant king but instead on the courage of free people. They had no guarantee of success. But they had conviction. And that conviction built a great nation.

As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, it is worth asking what transformed a revolutionary idea into the most prosperous country the world has ever known. The answer has many parts...