The Declaration of Independence from the British Empire is considered one of the boldest and most courageous acts in history. A mere 13 colonies of Great Britain deciding to risk their lives, their property their very existence for one precious idea; freedom. While the declaration was unanimously approved by the Continental Congress on July 2nd, it was not announced until July 4, 1776. Ironically, " Declaration of Independence" is nowhere to be found in the document itself. But, the grievances found in the document made it crystal clear, the original 13 colonies wanted their independence to form a new nation, the United States of America. By the time of the formal declaration, the colonies and Great Britain had been at war for over a year. But, the Continental Congress wanted to make a formal declaration (possibly in hopes that France would intervene, which they belatedly did so). Thomas Jefferson was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence. However, he received input from such men as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. It was a great undertaking by an underfunded, ill-trained army to take on the greatest army in the world, the army of Great Britain.
So, while you are out grilling in the backyard, taking in the rays at the beach or just taking things easy in the park, remember those hearty souls so many years ago who risked everything so we could have a nation of a free and independent people. That same freedom and independence is under attack today, unfortunately. But, this nation has faced down and defeated challenges before. We will again. Here now is a brief opening excerpt of United States Declaration of Independence.
--------------------------------------------------
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with
another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and
equal station to which the Laws of Nature
and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to
the separation.
| We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. |
0 comments:
Post a Comment