While most of us are celebrating Independence Day on July 4th, there are still a few that have no idea of the IMPORTANCE of WHY THIS DAY IS SO SPECIAL.
On July 4, 1776, ThomasJefferson, at the age of 33, laid the cornerstone of the United States of America through the Declaration of Independence declaring that the thirteen colonies be “Free and Independent States,” absolving from all allegiance to the British Crown of King George III
The Declaration of Independence reads:
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.
The signed copy resides in the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Fifty years later, in an 1825 letter,Jeffersonwrote that the Declaration of Independence was designed as "an appeal to the tribunal of the world." The document was therefore "intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion," and the fledgling state was thus introduced to the nations among which it was destined to assume its rightful place.
To lay the moral foundation for revolution, the Declaration of Independence invokes the principle of natural rights, which is strongly identified with John Locke. These are the basic rights of which each individual is possessed, and of which he cannot be stripped by society or government. InJefferson's formulation, the "pursuit of happiness" was substituted forLocke's more specific "health" and "possessions."
When Benjamin Franklin said, upon signing the Declaration of Independence, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately," it was no less than the literal truth.
Fifty-six men were signatories to the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence that Congress ordered to be made on July 19, 1776. John Hancock, as president of Congress, was first, and he famously wrote his name front, center and large. He and 49 others signed on August 2, 1776, in geographic order of the colonies they represented, from north to south. They signed with ink from the Syng inkstand, currently on display at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Six other signatures were added later, the last one, that of Thomas McKean, in 1781.
So………………while you and your family are enjoying hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and watching the spectacular fireworks, give “thanks” to those who paved the way to freedom hundreds of years ago! They did a great job!
Send a Thank you to our troops through Xerox.
IMPORTANT: If you or someone you know is interested in buying or selling a home in the Palm Desert Area, try searching properties on the same Desert Area MLS Realtor’s use, or give me a call….or visit my website at Palm Springs Homes and Estates. I will be happy to give you or your referral my “red carpet service.” After the sale, I will send you a $50 Gift Certificate towards dinner in a fabulous Palm Springs Area Restaurant so you can celebrate!
Brought to You By Your Favorite Realtor,
Nancy Hankin
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