The title of today's post is one of the most important phrases in the United States' Declaration of Independence - pretty catchy, isn't it? Have you ever had to write a paper that explained why you thought something was unfair and why you wanted to do it your way? That's exactly what happened when the 13 American colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia) wanted their independence from Great Britain's rule because of laws and taxes that only benefited the British.
From 1774 to 1789, the Continental Congress served as the government for the 13 American colonies (and later the United States). The men chosen to serve in the Continental Congress were called delegates. In 1776, they declared America's independence from Britain. This action resulted in the writing of the Declaration of Independence! But you know it wasn't this simple - nothing worth doing is! It's interesting to note that one-third of the colonists were in favor of rebellion, one-third continued to side with the British, and one-third were neutral!
The Congress had to meet secretly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, because their actions would have been considered treason and they could have all been hanged for this crime! They formed a "Committee of Five" (John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman), who asked Thomas Jefferson to write the document stating the reasons why the colonies wanted to become independent. They all met again on June 28, 1776 to review the draft Jefferson had written, made some changes, and then submitted the document on July 2nd to declare their independence. This was printed and made official on July 4, 1776. That is why July 4th is called Independence Day!
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| The liberty bell was rung at the reading in Philadelphia on July 8. |
This is the timeline afterwards. Things moved pretty swiftly, for the government!
- July 6: Pennsylvania Evening Post prints the first newspaper edition of the Declaration of Independence.
- July 8: First public reading of the Declaration in Philadelphia.
- July 9: Washington orders that the Declaration of Independence be read before the American army in New York.
- July 19: Congress orders the Declaration of Independence officially inscribed (engrossed) and signed by members.
- August 2: Delegates begin to sign the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence.
- January 18, 1777: Congress sends signed copies to all the states.
Fifty-six people signed the Declaration of Independence. The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge (age 26), the oldest was Benjamin Franklin (age 70), and two future presidents signed: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). John Hancock (leader of the American Revolution, Governor of Massachusetts, and President of the Continental Congress) was the first person to sign the Declaration and his signature was the largest and most easily recognized of them all! That's why you hear the expression, "Put your John Hancock here." Click on the link below to see his signature at the bottom! http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/image.htm
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal..."
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Let's watch a Sesame Street episode about the American Revolution:
