For example, there is a marble statue of Sam Houston, a leader who fought for independence for the state of Texas.

VOA: special.2010.01.27

That is because it became a state in eighteen seventy-six, exactly one hundred years after the nation declared its independence.

VOA: special.2009.08.02

Laurence Becker from Oregon State University says after gaining independence, African nations tried to help farmers.

VOA: special.2010.03.23

"To use a term that includes the word 'boy' to describe a state of independence and free-thinking for women seems kind of backward, " Spinelli said.

CNN: Girl, where'd you get that necktie?

MBO, a company that specializes in providing services to this happy group, has just published its second State of Independence report, which documents the scale and attitudes of independent work in the United States and has some surprising things to say about who is happy, and who is happier.

FORBES: Who Are The Happiest Workers in America (And Who Is Getting Happier)?

Mr Karimov, who has led Central Asia's most populous state since before independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, decided that, in the interests of democracy, he needed an opponent.

ECONOMIST: Uzbekistan