Usually, discoveries dwell on the turf reserved for scientists, who add to our knowledge of nature or exploit hidden underground mineral wealth. Some discoveries change the way we live forever, challenging our belief systems, improving our lifestyles and extending our lives. Sometimes, discoveries are transient, shining only briefly before being forgotten - either because more meaningful advances quickly overshadowed them, or because they were darkly suppressed for political, social or religious reasons.
Today, Ukraine is in the process of rediscovering aspects of its rich culture and history that have been suppressed. Ukraine's new independence has ushered in a revival of interest in knowledge previously denied, often for a century or more.
Historians are re-examining documents in an effort to shed new light on events that had been repressed, to separate truth from politically inspired fiction and to give new interpretations to well-known historical events. In short, Ukrainian scholars are striving to recover a nation's lost or forbidden past in an effort to shed greater light on an emerging national identity.
In so doing, they have unearthed the amazing facts and compelling personalities that are redefining their motherland.
One such recent discovery is the role an ethnic Ukrainian had on the birth of the United States.
Americans know the history of their Constitution well. It would not be an overestimation to claim that many other peoples of the world know and appreciate it as well. For decades, this document has been a guiding star, an example others strive to follow.
Taras Shevchenko dreamed of the time when Ukraine would have its own George Washington, and that dream was echoed by U.S. President Bill Clinton, in a speech to the students of Kyiv's Taras Shevchenko-Kyiv State University, when he said, "One day, you will have your own Washington."
Few know that a Ukrainian - more precisely, an American citizen of Ukrainian descent - was among the men known as the United States' "founding fathers." He is known as Samuel Adams, but his birth name was Samyilo Adamovich.
Samyilo's father came from a town located not far from L'viv. After the Russian-Swedish War in 1708, he moved to London (some historians think he probably escaped with the assistance of Sweden's ally, Hetman Mazepa). While in London, he changed his last name to the more natural "Adams." Later, Adamovich and his family went to seek their fortune in the New World.
In 1722, Samiylo was born in Boston. By all accounts, Samuel was an extraordinarily talented boy. He entered Harvard University, where he received a doctorate in law. He started his career with a newspaper, where he wrote patriotic articles. He headed a political organization called The Sons of Liberty.
As the situation between colonists and Britain became worse, Adams threatened that colonists would "take up weapons and fight to the last." When the Continental Congress decided to form an army, it was Adams who suggested that a Virginia planter named George Washington be named to command it.
Even earlier, in 1772, Adams compiled The Declaration of Rights of Colonists and The List of Violation of Rights. He is also largely the author of the Bill of Rights, an integral part of the Constitution.
In fact, two Adams' helped draft the American Constitution - John and Samuel.
No one knows whether Samuel or his father knew about a draft constitution written by Pylyp Orlyk in 1712. This document is better known as The Pact and Constitution of Rights and Liberties of the Zaporizhian Army. It is one of the oldest modern constitutions in the history of mankind, and quite similar to the American Constitution, despite having been written on different continents, under different circumstances and during different times.
Ukrainians can proudly claim to have been a part of both documents.
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