Original Declaration of Independence as printed on July 4, 1776 – Compliments of Wikimedia Commons

“…no laws bind the people but such as they consent to be Governed by.” ~ Roger Sherman

“The people are the best judges who ought to represent them.” ~ Robert R. Livingston

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” ~ John Adams

On July 4, 1776, the citizens of the 13 colonies established by Great Britain in the New World more than a century earlier officially declared their independence from their mother country. Those 13 colonies, in order of formation, were Virginia (1607), New York (1626), Massachusetts (1630), Maryland (1633), Rhode Island (1636), Connecticut (1636), New Hampshire (1638), Delaware (1638), North Carolina (1653), South Carolina (1663), New Jersey (1664), Pennsylvania (1682), and Georgia (1732), and the document that freed them from tyranny was the Declaration of Independence.

A committee of five men were appointed to write what is arguably the most important document in the history of the United States of America, and one of the most important in the history of the world. Those men were Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, who has been credited with drafting the Declaration, along with John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert Livingston of New York and Roger Sherman of Connecticut who have been credited with providing their respective editorial expertise.

Together these men created what is, in effect, our nation’s birth certificate; and the birth of our nation changed the world. Once approved, 56 courageous and revolutionary delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. They did not do it alone; for nearly every man who signed, there was a woman who supported him in one of the most important acts of his life; perhaps the most well-known of these women is Abigail Smith Adams. (By the way, one of my favorite novels is Those Who Love, by Irving Stone, based on the endearing and enduring relationship of Abigail and John Adams.)

Surprisingly and ironically, for various logistical and possibly ideological reasons not all the Founders of our nation took part in the signing of the Declaration of Independence; absent were the signatures of George Washington, John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, the last of whom was still a teenager in 1776! Even Robert Livingston missed signing due to not having received instructions to do so in time from his home State of New York. Just imagine, even at that most pivotal and crucial moment in history, deadlines were missed and people were not where they were supposed to be! And, yet, here we are still celebrating that moment centuries later. So, the next time you miss a meeting or deadline, think about the likes of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Livingston — who worked on the document — among others, missing the meeting in which the Declaration of Independence was signed!

Understanding The Journey From Tyranny to Independence

While elementary school children in the US are taught about the Declaration of Independence, they are likely too young to grasp its relevance to their lives. And because not all Americans attend college, and even then their curriculum might not include the study of US history, this crucial document should also be taught in depth in high school in order for students to understand how and why their country began. Such study and understanding will help the young to grow into informed and enlightened self-governing citizens.

Naturalized citizens must study the Declaration of Independence to prepare for the Naturalization Test prior to taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Because the test questions will vary, aspiring citizens must study and know US history, government and geography so they are prepared for any set of test questions, which are presented — except for rare exceptions — in the English language.

Hence, it behooves all of us adult Americans — natural-born or naturalized — to review the Declaration of Independence from time to time to remind ourselves of the reasons for the American Revolution. In doing so, we can and must evaluate how our nation is adhering to the principles established by the Founders, as well as the progress made throughout our history in preserving and improving on our values as a nation and as a people. Because if we don’t understand our history we cannot be empowered to determine our future.

For example, we know that the catalyst for America’s Founders to declare independence from England was the tyranny of King George III of England. But in drilling down in the Declaration of Independence, we see the actual list of charges against the King. These charges are a guidepost for us to recognize if such threats to our freedom, equality, liberty and independence ever emerge again, so that as a self-governing people we can address them from a position of power and strength.

Following is the statement and a sampling of those charges of tyranny (the complete list can be read in the Declaration of Independence):

“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.