Have a Happy and Safe Independence Day!

If you’re here in the U.S., I hope you have a fun 4th of July! Fireworks have been banned in lots of places because of drought, but so far it’s still a go for us this evening!

Why is it we celebrate this day?

In June and July 1776, a committee worked on a document that all the thirteen colonies could agree upon that formally told Great Britain that they would govern themselves. That document was the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was its principal author.

One of the most famous sections explained the rights of man: 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.

In another section the Declaration states the charges against King George III, such as:

  • imposing taxes on the colonies without their consent
  • cutting off the colonies trade with other parts of the world
  • depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury
  • He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people
The list of grievances is actually quite long and if you want to learn more you read the entire Declaration of Independence here.

Congress debated and then approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

May you and your family have a safe and fun 4th of July!

Photo Credits:

Fireworks: Wikimedia Commons Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3

 

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