It is a political season complete with the good, the bad, the ugly; and whether we like it or despise it we are fortunate, are we not, to live in a country that allows the discussion and yes, the heated debate. I have to confess I am a junkie for this kind of stuff...not the political pundits going on and on mind you, I like to listen to the candidates debate and really appreciate a good exchange in which sometimes everything that was said yesterday is "unpacked" and sometimes denied today. It is entertaining at times...you must admit!
Last night I watched the Florida debate with fascination...I am going to vote today so it was must-see TV for me! While I choose not to publish my personal political views here on my blog, I strongly encourage all of you young citizens of our wonderful country to pay attention, engage your mind, listen to the candidates, look at history, talk to your parents, siblings, grandparents...and vote!!
So, off of my soapbox, I am wondering...when was the last time you took a look at the Declaration of Independence?...(yea, I know, not the best segue, but it was referenced last night...I remember memorizing this for a college class on teaching History ;) Well here it is...the well known and often memorized preamble...
"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."Five facts For Friday that you might or might not know about this document.
1) Thomas Jefferson was the author of the document ~ chosen to pen it from the committee of FIVE that was appointed to draft a statement.
2) The Declaration of Independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies* on July 1st 1776, New York did not vote. Congress began the debate, revisions were made, and the bells rang throughout Philadelphia on July 4, 1776...the Declaration of Independence had been officially adopted by all 13 colonies.
3) John Hancock, President of the congress, was the first to sign the parchment.
4) There is writing on the back of the original. It is not visible and reads
"Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." It is written upside down. NO, there is no map leading to treasure (contrary to the notion in the much loved movie...National Treasure).
5) There are 26 known copies of the document; 21 owned by American institutions, 2 by British Institutions, and 3 by private owners.
*The 13 Colonies in chronological order (in case you have forgotten...I have):
Virginia~ the first English-speaking colony to survive was Jamestown, VA founded in 1607
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Maryland
Connecticut
Rhode Island
Delaware
North Carolina
South Carolina
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Georgia ~1732
And now for a bit of fun on this Friday...National Treasure...
Doesn't every boy want to be a treasure hunter??
Treasure your weekend!!
