Our nation's Declaration of Independence begins with the famous statement that “all men ... are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” This powerful declaration set the stage for a new era of governance based on the principles of freedom, equality, and self-governance.
August 2, 1776 is one of the most important but least celebrated days in American history, when 56 members of the Second Continental Congress officially signed the Declaration of Independence. This document, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, marked the formal break from British rule and the establishment of a new independent nation.
The sentiment found in Thomas Jefferson's closing line in the Declaration of Independence, in which “we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor,” embodies the spirit of unity and sacrifice that was necessary for the success of the American Revolution.
The intention was to create a monumental exhibit space for the nation's most important founding documents, the Charters of Freedom. In 1933, the National Archives building was constructed in Washington, D.C. to house the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
A rare and priceless copy of our nation's Declaration of Independence will soon be on display in Lebanon County, offering people a chance to see firsthand the document that laid the foundation for American democracy.
The Declaration explained why the Thirteen Colonies at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain regarded themselves as thirteen independent and sovereign states, no longer under British rule. It outlined the grievances against King George III and asserted the natural rights of the colonists.
Hundreds of people from throughout the state took part this week in planning for Connecticut's commemoration of the 1776 Declaration of Independence, organizing events and educational programs to honor the historic document and its significance.
However, most signers of the declaration didn't sign it until August 2, 1776. As a result, John Adams refused celebration invites for every July 4th, insisting that the true date of independence should be recognized and celebrated.
