Each year in July we gear up with holiday treats to celebrate what we convivially call The Fourth of July. At River North Law Group, we’re honoring Independence Day by recognizing the documents that lay its foundation. Most of us learned this history long ago, and so, we hope you'll enjoy this brief refresher.
For nearly two and a half centuries, three documents known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of American people. The following legislation defines them, and most of these documents will be familiar to you:
- Declaration of Independence
- Constitution
- Bill of Rights
Thomas Jefferson wrote The Declaration of Independence to multiple audiences: the King, the American colonists, and the world at large. He aimed to inspire a fledgling army, secure foreign allies, and boldly declare the birth of a new country. In fact, the first sentence explains the right to revolution, “to declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” At this point in history, Congress needed to prove the legitimacy of its cause. A new nation had, by this declaration, defied the most powerful nation on Earth. It needed to motivate foreign allies to join the fight.
Signature of the Declaration of Independence - Fun Facts
Although the document was composed in July, the Declaration of Independence was signed a month later. On August 2, 1776, most of Its signatory assembled at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later known as Independence Hall. “Engrossing,” writing on parchment in a clear hand, required an additional two weeks.. Although most of the delegates signed on August 2, several—Elbridge Gerry, Oliver Wolcott, Lewis Morris, Thomas McKean and Matthew Thornton—signed on a later date. Two others never signed at all, including John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston. The parchment copy now resides at the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, alongside the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
There was a 44-year age difference between the youngest and oldest signers. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer, at 70 years old when he scrawled his name on the parchment. Edward Rutledge was the youngest, a lawyer from South Carolina who was only 26 at the time. Rutledge narrowly beat out fellow South Carolinian Thomas Lynch Jr., just four months his senior, for the title.
The Declaration of Independence in Three Sections:
A Familiar Introduction
These are the lines we all find most familiar. “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.” These stirring words were designed to convince the members of a new nation to put their lives on the line for the cause. Separation from the mother country threatened their sense of security, economic stability, and identity. The preamble sought to inspire and unite them through the vision of a better life.
In fact, these words intended for inspiration were not universally embraced. The Declaration of independence sparked fierce debate and even riots protesting the rebellion in some places.
List of Grievances
Within the Declaration of Independence is a list of grievances, which Thomas Jefferson believed the King of Great Britain, George III, had committed against the Colonists. These grievances outlined the main reasons behind why the Colonists had gone to war during the American Revolution. This is where you’ll find the famous complaint, “taxation without representation or, as Jefferson more eloquently puts it, "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent."
The list of 27 complaints against King George III constitute the proof of the right to rebellion. Congress cast “the causes which impel them to separation” in universal terms for an international audience. Join our fight, reads the subtext, and you join humankind’s fight against tyranny.
Where is the Original Declaration of Independence Preserved?
Since 1952 the original parchment document of the Declaration of Independence has resided in the National Archives exhibition hall in Washington, D.C., along with the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Before then it had a number of homes and protectors, including the State Department and the Library of Congress. For a portion of World War II, it was kept in the Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Resolution of Independence
The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” It declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an independent country.
If you’d like to see a copy of the Declaration of Independence, click the link below.
http://uscode.house.gov/download/annualhistoricalarchives/pdf/OrganicLaws2006/decind.pdf
River North Law Group wishes all our clients and their families a very happy Independence Day Weekend.