Voltaire

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment thinker known for his sharp wit and criticism of the Catholic Church and French government. He wrote many plays, essays, and books advocating for freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. These ideas inspired thinkers in the American Revolution, contributing to the founding principles of the United States, like freedom of expression. Today, Voltaire's legacy lives on in the way we value and protect free speech and individual rights. For example, when people peacefully protest or debate controversial topics, they are exercising freedoms that Voltaire championed centuries ago.