Dear Traders,
Happy Fourth of July to all of our American friends.
Over the past few days, I watched The American Experience series produced by Tom Hanks, telling the incredible story of the birth of the United States. It reminded me why America’s history continues to inspire people around the world.
The story of thirteen small colonies declaring independence on July 4, 1776, and standing up to the most powerful empire on Earth was extraordinary. Against overwhelming odds, George Washington and the Continental Army persevered through years of hardship until the decisive victory at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, where British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered. Two years later, on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris formally recognized the independence of the United States.
But what fascinated me most happened after the war had already been won.
On December 23, 1783, inside the Old Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland, General George Washington voluntarily resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief and returned his military authority to the Continental Congress.
It is difficult to appreciate how extraordinary that moment was. Throughout history, victorious generals often crowned themselves kings, emperors, or dictators after leading their armies to victory. Washington could have done the same. Instead, he surrendered power willingly and returned home to Mount Vernon as a private citizen.
That single act became one of the defining moments in American history. It established a principle that remains fundamental to the United States today: the military serves the civilian government, never the other way around. Historians often regard it as one of the greatest voluntary relinquishments of power in history. King George III is even reported to have said that if Washington truly gave up power, “he will be the greatest man in the world.”
As someone who was born outside the United States, I have always admired what America has contributed to the world. Its commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, scientific progress, and free markets has created opportunities for millions of people, including me and my family.
The U.S. financial markets have completely changed my life. They have allowed me to build a business, support my family, educate thousands of traders around the world, and pursue opportunities that I could only dream about growing up. For that, I will always be grateful.
So today, I simply want to say:
