On This Day

On this day, 230 years ago proper, The Congress formally endorses Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. Penned in iron, fifty-five men signed into existence a document that launched a war, toppled the stronghold of an empire, and brought into existence the freedom they fought so desperately hard for. Though the document was not fully signed until August 2nd, this day is a significant one to all of us.

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Despite its strong language and intent, this Declaration, which we celebrate today, was not the simply a cry of rally to war. It was an honest assessment of the situation of all the citizens of the colonies. It was an intelligently thought out interpretation of the rights of men, in their every day lives, in their futures, in their fortunes. But most importantly, it was a civil discussion, and reasoning, to violently oppose the British Monarchy.

“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.”

Though hostilities were long since underway, this was the first voice of America. A small, but powerful, group of men who felt it was necessary to openly challenge Great Britain in order to save ALL the colonies from its tyranny. Had they failed this world would have been a much different place.

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, 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.”

Abuses against their property. British solders had the authority to take possessions without paying its value; threatening the livelihood and families of any colonists they chose. Abuses against lives, weather in battle, or protest. The fear was not of the possible and impossible, but to the right to be subjected to these abuses. These men so believed it was their Right, our Right, to oppose a force bent on siphoning away their wealth, youth, and happiness.

“--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.”

On this day, 230 years ago, the most powerful form of government, the voice of the people, Our Congress, established a challenge to their benefactor. Give us Freedom, or we will take it.

(All quotes from the Declaration of Independence – Thomas Jefferson, 1776. Courtesy of Liberty Online)