The Declaration of Independence (1776): The Birth Certificate of a Nation
The moral compass of the nation, this document famously declared that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Download the Declaration of Independence: America’s Founding Philosophy
Few documents in human history have had the seismic impact of the Declaration of Independence. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it was more than just a formal break with Great Britain; it was a revolutionary statement of human rights and government by consent.
At Political Jar, we believe that understanding history requires going straight to the source. We are proud to offer a free download of the Declaration of Independence so you can read the exact words that launched the American experiment.
Why This Document Changed the World
Before 1776, the prevailing view held that kings ruled by divine right and subjects owed them allegiance. The Declaration of Independence, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, shattered that paradigm.
It argued that governments are instituted among men not to grant rights, but to secure rights that already exist by nature. When a government becomes destructive of those ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it. This justification for revolution was a radical departure from contemporary political thought and laid the groundwork for modern democracies globally.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
The document’s preamble contains perhaps the most potent sentence in American history:
“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.”
While the United States has often struggled to live up to this lofty ideal, these words have served as the nation’s moral compass for nearly 250 years. They have inspired abolitionists, suffragists, civil rights leaders, and reformers to demand that the promise of America apply to everyone.
Beyond the philosophy, the document serves as a legal indictment of King George III. The list of grievances—ranging from taxation without representation to interfering with justice—provides a fascinating window into the practical reasons why the colonists felt compelled to fight.
Get Your Free Copy of This Essential Founding Document
Don’t rely on summaries or second-hand interpretations. Every citizen, student of history, and political observer should own copies of the nation’s founding documents.
Download the Declaration of Independence for free, courtesy of Political Jar. Add this essential piece of history to your digital library today.
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