On July 4th many Americans celebrate the anniversary of when the original colonies declared their independence from England and King George III. It is important that people have access to read the text of the Declaration of Independence, or hear the text being read (John F. Kennedy reading it while he was a senator).
What is not often realized or discussed is that Thomas Jefferson started writing it on June 11, 1776 and admitted he was not trying to be original when he wrote it. Jefferson used several existing documents to inspiration or wording from. A few weeks later Jefferson presented it to the Continental Congress who made some edits. On July 2, 1776 Thomas Jefferson presented the final version everyone references, this was ratified 2 days later. Here is what is key to remember, that even though the Declaration of Independence was ratified and signed on July 4, 1776 King George III did not know about this for several months. In 1776 there were no phones, no express mail, nothing done in the colonies could immediately be known by the King. It took three (3) months for the document to sail across the Atlantic Ocean and for King George III to receive the Declaration of Independence.
The goal of the Declaration of Independence was bigger than just telling the King that the colonies did not want to be part of the United Kingdom any more. The declaration had to explain to colonists, other countries, and the King why they were declaring a separation and the legitimacy of these claims. The twenty-seven (27) grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence provided the proof that the rebellion was valid and hopefully rally other countries to the side of the United States.
On this day of celebration, consider reading the document to see what was actually said in one of the most important documents in the history and founding of the United States of America.
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