Each individual may define the American dream differently. But the general idea is that a person in the United States has the freedom to carry out his or her goals. It usually means a person has the chance to work hard, earn money and create a secure life. For many people, this means being able to get a good education, have a good job and own a house. The expression is often linked to immigrants who have come to this country seeking more freedom or a better life than they could have in their own countries. Some people would say that the United States Declaration of Independence first defined the American dream. It expressed why the American colonies decided to fight British colonial rule in order to become an independent nation. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, and that they have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.