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Happy Independence Day! Tell Your Favorite Student why We’re Celebrating

By
Real Estate Agent

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

us flag and statue of liberty

 

 

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!

 

Comments (11)

Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the history lesson. I hope people will read it . Have a good holiday.

Jul 03, 2011 11:55 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Colleen- it is a sad situation, isn't it.  It doesn't hurt any of us to review and renew our history lessons.  I've carried a small text of the Declaration in my travel bag since 9/11.

Jul 03, 2011 11:59 PM
Retired Notworking
Tallahassee, FL

Happy 4th to you. Wow, that's cool that you keep a copy of the Declaration in your purse. It's especially important now with the global problems that we remember who we are and what we stand for.

Jul 04, 2011 12:03 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Colleen - it is an excellent idea to share with the students we know these things that went into making our country great.  Sadly, I don't think they get enough of this in school anymore.  Happy July 4th! 

Jul 04, 2011 12:11 AM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Thanks for the idea to tell the kids and grandchildren the meaning of the holiday today Colleen.  Enjoy your Independence Day holiday.

Jul 04, 2011 12:49 AM
Betty Knowles
Southwest Missouri Realty - Springfield, MO
Ready to sell? Call Betty!

Happy Independence Day Colleen from Team Knowles REALTORS® Keller Williams Springfield Missouri! I'm writing a similar blog this morning about its not the 4th of July, its Independence Day!

Jul 04, 2011 01:21 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

It is sad to think that so many students don't know what the declaration of independence is. We need to change that...

Thank you!

Jul 04, 2011 03:01 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Civics was my favorite class in school.  I loved learning about the government and how our forefathers set it up.

Jul 04, 2011 04:44 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Just stopped by to say that I

Happy Fourth of July!

Jul 04, 2011 06:26 AM
Yolanda Hoversten
Self Employed - O'Fallon, IL
Referrals for O’Fallon, IL & the Metro East

Thank you for the reminder what this day is about, Colleen. If it were up to some, history will not be told. Special thanks to the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families for their service and sacrifices. Happy Independence Day!

Jul 04, 2011 07:08 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Colleen,

The Declaration of Independence was written with such eloquence and clarity. It's as important to understand what was written today as it was written and to teach these principals to our children and the children in America. Thanks for the reminder of what our independence means. Have a great day!

Jul 04, 2011 01:08 PM