What does Independence Day mean in everyday life? Is it the freedom to speak your mind, the opportunity to build a better future, or simply the ability to live life your own way? And when you think about the innovations that have shaped America, which one has made the biggest difference to your daily routine?
To mark Independence Day, we asked Ipsos iSay members and visitors these questions in two special editions of our Question of the Day. Their answers offer a fascinating snapshot of what freedom and innovation look like through the eyes of our Ipsos iSay community.
The Freedom People Value Most Starts with Choice
Freedom can mean many things, but for 38.6% of our Ipsos iSay members and visitors who took part in our Question of the Day poll, one freedom stood above the rest: the freedom to choose their lifestyle.
Whether it's choosing where to live, what career to pursue, or how to spend their time, the ability to make personal decisions was the clear winner. It received considerably more support than freedom of expression, which was selected by 23.1% of respondents.
Other participants highlighted different aspects of freedom that shape everyday life. Economic opportunity was chosen by 16.3%, while 13% said access to information has the greatest impact on their daily lives. Meanwhile, 9% felt that none of the listed options best reflected their views.
The results suggest that, for many Ipsos iSay members and visitors, freedom isn't only about rights or principles. It's about having the opportunity to make choices every day and live life on their own terms.
The American Invention That Changed Everyday Life
America has long been known for innovation, but which invention has truly transformed everyday life?
In a second Independence Day Question of the Day, we asked our Ipsos iSay members and visitors to choose the American invention that has had the biggest impact on their daily lives.
The clear winner was the internet, selected by 45.6% of respondents. It's easy to see why. From working and learning to shopping, banking, streaming entertainment, and keeping in touch with friends and family, the internet has become an essential part of modern life.
The next most popular choice was smartphones, with 27.3% of respondents saying they have had the biggest impact. Since smartphones have made the internet accessible almost anywhere, it's no surprise the two technologies dominated the results.
Not every favorite was digital, however. Air conditioning earned 20.3% of the vote, reminding us that some of the most life-changing inventions are the ones we rely on every day without giving them much thought—especially during the heat of summer.
Meanwhile, GPS technology was selected by 2.9% of participants, while 3.9% said none of the listed inventions had made the biggest difference in their lives.
More Connected, More Independent
Looking across both Question of the Day polls, an interesting pattern begins to emerge. The freedom that Ipsos iSay members and visitors value most is the freedom to choose how they live their lives. The invention they say has had the greatest impact is the internet, a technology that has opened new ways to work, learn, communicate and access information.
Perhaps that's no coincidence. The internet has expanded the choices available to us in almost every aspect of life, from how we connect with others to how we discover opportunities and make decisions. In many ways, it complements the very freedom that respondents ranked highest: the freedom to choose.
Every Opinion Helps Tell the Story
Every day, the Ipsos iSay Question of the Day gives members and visitors the opportunity to share their opinions on current events, everyday life and the topics that matter most to them. Together, those responses provide a unique window into what the Ipsos iSay community is thinking.
This Independence Day, the message was clear. Our Ipsos iSay members and visitors, 38.6% said the freedom to choose their lifestyle has the greatest impact on their everyday lives. In a separate poll, 45.6% of respondents named the internet as the American invention that has changed everyday life the most.
Today's results are just one snapshot of what Ipsos iSay members and visitors are thinking. Every day brings a new Question of the Day and fresh perspectives on the topics shaping our lives.
If you enjoy sharing your opinion, why stop here? Join Ipsos iSay to earn rewards for taking surveys, discover more insights from our community, and make your voice count.
*These results represent Ipsos iSay web visitors across the US, conducted July 1 - 15 2026, and may not reflect the views of the general population.
