Independence Day

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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

The Declaration of Independence

4 thoughts on “Independence Day”

  1. Happy Independence Day NewMexiken.
    I have a question that you may be able to answer. Doesn’t today mark 229 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed? I am reading on the national archives, 231 years. I wrote a story using 229. I am reading a story that says 221. Can we all be wrong?
    greenchiledem

  2. Nevermind. I figured it out. Ugh. I was reading from a dated archive without realizing.

  3. thanks for that, nmk. thus far, as we descendents of jefferson bumble along the arc which is said to bend toward justice, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

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