The third event that encouraged freedom is the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack, which made the language of freedom to take center stage in the public discourse of the United States. The issue of freedom took the center stage once again because it was highlighted as an all-purpose explanation for the 9/11 attack and the resultant fight against terrorism. President Bush encouraged freedom in the aftermath of this attack by stating that freedom itself was under attack. The presidential invocation of freedom in the aftermath of the attack eventually became a powerful popular rallying call for freedom.

On the contrary, there are events in the history of the United States that have detracted or diluted freedom since 1865. The first event that detracted freedom is the reconstruction period, which overturned significant gains that had been made by African-Americans with regards to freedom. Actually, reconstruction failed to safeguard freedom of black people and was followed by a prolonged period of inequality for black Americans. This was despite of attempts to promote freedom by enacting abolitionist principle of birthright citizenship and equal protection into the Constitution. The second event occurred at the end of Reconstruction, which was brought by the withdrawal of federal troops. During this period, African-Americans experienced eradication of their nascent freedoms as black codes severely restricted their freedoms. In addition, the subsequent Supreme Court decisions culminated in the final blow to hopes of freedom and equality for black people for nearly a century. The third event is the enactment of the Search and Seizure Law and the U.S. PATRIOT Act after the 9/11 attack. These legislations were enacted to help in the fight against terrorism and enhance the security of all Americans. These laws have diluted freedom by raising concerns on the balance between security and freedom, particularly in the face of potential serious violations at home. The laws detract freedom by enhancing chances for compromising or curtailing equality and freedom.

Generally, the concept of freedom remains a central issue to the American culture and politics to an extent that it has been increasingly contested among policymakers and the general public. As evident in the country's history from 1865 to present, the issue of American freedom will forever remain unfinished. Consequently, debates and controversies regarding the issue will undoubtedly continue as new definitions emerge based on the challenges and issues in the modern world. However, freedom is a reality in the modern American culture and politics based on the significant challenges and gains that the country has made on that front. While the complete and ideal picture of freedom is yet to be realized and will probably not be realized, freedom is a reality in the current American culture. The seeming inability to realize ideal freedom in America is attributed to evolution of this concept and its meaning.