The Declaration of Independence

King George III

Conflict between the American colonies and England had been mounting, and the colonists were becoming frustrated. They were being taxed beyond what they considered reasonable, far more than the citizens in England were paying. They were informed that the taxation was to help pay for the French and Indian War, where British troops were sent to protect the colonists' lands. However the colonists kept saying this would only be fair if they were given representation in Parliament, which levied the taxes.

Thomas Jefferson

American leaders began to see that nothing they said made any difference and they needed to do something to break the stalemate. The Continental Congress, on the recommendation of John Adams, chose Thomas Jefferson to draft the document that would become known as the Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress adopted it on July 4, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House, which we know as Independence Hall.

Although many have stated otherwise, this document did not give us our independence. We had to fight and win the Revolutionary War before that happened. However, it did lead to our independence. That's why we celebrate July Fourth as Independence Day.  Parts of it has become famous all over the world.

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.

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