Today is July 4th better known as Independence Day. It is the day the Continental Congress accepted the formal parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and signed on August 2, 1776. Tyranny is not a new concept to the world. It has occurred repeatedly throughout history even into our present day.
The movers and shakers of the 1776 era were well-educated and well-read men and were, most likely aware of the Dutch document from 1581, Plakkaat van Verlatinghe of 1581, known as the "Dutch Declaration of Independence." Jefferson may well have referred to that as a source document. I found a quote from Jefferson regarding the intent of the American Declaration -
"The intention of the Declaration was not saying something new, but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent... Neither aiming at originality of principles or sentiments, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind."
My favorite sentence from the Declaration of Independence is the last sentence
"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."
As Americans we ALL need to remember that last sentence and consciously commit ourselves to that premise. We have seen what standing by idly has wrought.
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