On July 2, 1776, a Finnish American man held the future of the US in his fingers.
The scene was the corridor in Philadelphia that hosted the Second Continental Congress of the 13 American Colonies of British America. The person of future was John Morton, speaker of the Pennsylvania Meeting and the swing vote in his state delegation that would create the US of America.
If Morton voted “no,” the influential Colony can be recorded versus independence. This might deal a deadly blow to the toddler nation by delaying or dashing hopes for a vote for independence from Nice Britain that was unopposed by any of the Colonies. If he stated “sure,” the Pennsylvania delegation would flip to a 3-to-2 pro-independence majority, creating unstoppable nationwide momentum for a break with King George III’s authorities.
However it might place Morton and his fellow delegates liable to condemnation by many constituents who have been pro-crown loyalists or independence skeptics, and in actual hazard of being executed if captured by British forces. The utmost penalty for treason towards the king at the moment was to be hung by the neck till the sting of dying, then disemboweled and torn into 4 items — whereas nonetheless alive.
Morton made his choice. He voted for the independence decision, and Pennsylvania’s “yea” vote within the roll name of states enabled its unopposed passage. This was the second that the US of America got here into existence. With the assistance of spirits from Finland — Morton’s father, grandfather, mom and spouse have been all of of Finnish descent.
The nation that Morton and his colleagues created July 2, 1776, turned the wealthiest, strongest nation on earth. And the society that Morton’s distant kin inbuilt Finland additionally turned one of many world’s most profitable democracies.
For a nation of solely 5.6 million folks, brutal winter climate and few pure sources apart from bushes, Finland’s achievements are hanging. Finland ranks because the No. 1 world’s freest nation in Freedom Home’s 2025 report, the happiest nation for eight years in a row, the developed nation with probably the most expert grownup inhabitants and the nation that leads the world in progress towards attaining the United Nations Sustainable Growth Objectives, together with well being and well-being, gender equality and ending poverty.
How has this occurred? One purpose is that Finland is, within the phrases of Helsinki-based journalists Anu Partanen and Trevor Corson in The New York Instances, “a capitalist paradise,” a nation dedicated to free markets and capitalism. In line with the Heritage Basis’s 2025 Index of Financial Freedom, Finland has one of the best property rights on the earth and scores increased than the US in financial and funding freedom, judicial effectiveness, fiscal well being and authorities integrity.
Taxes on private earnings are considerably increased on common than in the US, however they change many giant personal bills carried by U.S. households, and enterprise and property taxes are decrease. The nationwide company tax charge in Finland will likely be lowered from the present 20% to 18% in 2027, which compares to about 25% in the US when state taxes are included.
Whereas Finns complain about their taxes, ultimately, many individuals right here think about them value it, in alternate for a really sturdy social security web, glorious common public well being care and free high-quality training by college. Medical chapter, the No. 1 explanation for chapter within the U.S., is nearly extraordinary, as is the long-term stress related to crushing pupil debt. Charges of violent crime, homelessness and starvation are extraordinarily low.
Finland is, as Partanen places it, a “well-being state.” Finns don’t have a lot to say publicly about spiritual values resembling compassion, charity and humility; they only act on them.
There may be some political polarization in Finland, and within the parliament, debates over immigration and an financial system caught in a cycle of low development and comparatively excessive unemployment are more and more intense. However private animosity in authorities performs out at a far decrease depth than in the US, for instance, and this can be one of the vital highly effective classes People can be taught from Finland.
When Finnish center-right politician Alexander Stubb received the presidential election final 12 months, he headed for his Inexperienced Occasion opponent Pekka Haavisto’s election-night vigil for a shock joint look. As the gang cheered a standing ovation, the 2 males hugged, and Stubb informed him, “You’re one of many nicest folks I’ve ever met.”
On the eve of America’s 250 th anniversary, Morton and Finland can remind us that now is an efficient time for People to declare independence from the tyranny of hating one another.
William Doyle is an American author and TV producer primarily based in Helsinki. In 2015, he was appointed as a Fulbright scholar to Finland/Tribune Information Service
