July 4, 1776
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted upon a resolution introduced by Virginia, that "these thirteen colonies are, and of right, ought to be free and independent states."
The young Virgina lawyer and planter that served as chairman of the committee and was appointed to draft a declaration was Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson, along with men like John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, built upon the ideas of enlightenment philosopher John Locke, and English and colonial declaration of rights, Jefferson wrote a document for the ages, a declaration for the world to see.
The document that was written and the declaration that was made was independent of the world's opinion and Great Britain's view. It was written in the best interest of, and for, thirteen states and still stands today as the greatest government document ever written.
To the 56 men who signed the document we own much thanks and appreciation for their vision. The first, largest, and most famous signature is that of John Hancock,
President of the Continental Congress. The youngest signer was Edward
Rutledge (age 26). Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest. Two future
presidents signed: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson
(third President).
To all these men I say: "Thank you".
Thank you for your intelligence, your focus, and for never relenting. Thank you for the Declaration of Independence and for the fact it signified, for the first time in history, that the principles of freedom and equality would be the political foundation for a nation.
We are the greatest nation in the world. We are The United States of America.
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