The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence 

On June 11th, 1776 Congress appointed five men to draft a declaration of the colonies’ independence. This group, known as the “Committee of Five” consisted of John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. The document was officially drafted by Thomas Jefferson and was edited by the entire committee. Congress as a whole made some alterations to it around the time of July 1st and 2nd. 

On the morning of July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted and the manuscript copy of the document was taken to Mr. John Dunlap to be printed. A historical myth that we all believed in elementary school was that the Declaration was signed on July 4th, 1776 by all of the signers. It wasn’t officially signed by all fifty-six men until Thomas McKean signed it. Historians debate on when that actually was. Some say it was August 2nd, 1776. Some say it wasn’t until 1781. Unfortunately, I was not able to find the confirmed date so for now, this remains a mystery (at least, to me). 

The Declaration was more than just a document stating “We can do what we want” to the King of England. It was a formal declaration that the patriots refused to ever bow to the King of England again due to his unfairness and were declaring the beginnings of their plans for their new government. It explained their reasons for the American Revolution and the rights they believed all Americans deserved. 

“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.--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.”

The Declaration of Independence

As we know, I love my fun facts. So I don’t think I can conclude this without a fun fact of some sort. So…did you know that the classic movie National Treasure actually made an error regarding the Declaration of Independence? I know, shocking. In the movie, while trying to solve one of their many riddles, Benjamin Gates says that “fifty-five men” signed the Declaration of Independence. As you already know if you’ve read this whole article, fifty-six men signed it. Not fifty-five. Obviously, not a horrible error but it proves that not even Benjamin Gates can possibly know everything about history. And he’s fictional. 

I have heard the theory that Benjamin Gates is not considering Thomas McKean while solving this riddle because they are going off of the assumption that he didn’t sign it until 1781. Or that he is not including all the signers because he is going off of how many people signed it at the time the riddle was created. However, I haven’t seen anything yet from the directors or writers of the film saying that’s the reason, so most people assume it was just a small mistake. Is it still one of my favorite movies ever? Yes. Yes, it is. 

I hope you enjoyed this article and I hope that you all have a wonderful Fourth of July! To my friends across the pond, Happy Ungrateful Colonists Day. 

LE