The United States of America is an exceptional country and we're proud of our heritage. The principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence inspire and give hope to the entire world.
Here's the essence:
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.
...
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Click here for the full transcript of the Declaration of Independence
As you celebrate today, remind your children and grand-children what it's all about, since many of them may not know what it means and why it's important. Consider the following:
- Newsweek discovered that 33 percent of respondents didn't know when the Declaration of Independence was adopted when it administered the official US citizenship test to 1,000 Americans earlier this year.
- According to the latest National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) tests, two-thirds of 4th graders and three-fourths of 8th graders don't know why the Founders wrote the Declaration of Independence
- WSJ reported that only 35 percent of fourth-graders knew the purpose of the Declaration of Independence, according to national history test scores released Tuesday.
Our freedoms were bought with the blood of brave men and women and we should never forget who we are and what we stand for. We are indeed blessed to live in this country.
Happy Independence Day!
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