Today-USA Independence Day and a required reading assignment-

lousubcap

Below are the first two and last paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.  You should read them.  Very powerful writings.  

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Happy Birthday USA!
Edit:  The above was annual mandatory fun for my two sons growing up. 

SciAggie

I read this every once in a while - powerful words. 

bgebrent

Amazing words put to paper by brilliant people.  Need smart people to recognize and vote to preserve it!

lousubcap

@bgebrent - through the recent history of the country we have rally cheapened what it means to be an "American".   And let there be no doubt that we are the last, best and greatest country in the world.  Today is the base-line of every thing we stand for.  I am over the top on July 4th so I will pause right here.  

Skiddymarker

Happy Birthday America - all the best to our American cousins - two nations divided by a common language (sorry to plagiarize Gen, Patton)

YukonRon

Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.
Harry S. Truman.

Tjcoley

Should be required reading on a regular basis.  It's interesting, I always thought of the Founding Fathers as elder Statesmen.  On July 4, 1776, George Washington was 44, Jefferson was 33, Alexander Hamilton was only 21 years old, James Madison was 25, James Monroe was only 18, and Betsy Ross was 24.  A young men's revolution.  You could say life spams were much shorter, however the average age at death of the Founding Fathers was 67, with many living into their eighties and even nineties.

johnmitchell

Thank you for posting. As a New citizen to the USA I always feel so proud to be part of the greatest country in the world.. God bless America..

ScottNC

Great Posting, Thanks for putting it up!

lousubcap

shameless bump to keep on the front page.

YukonRon

I love this post, thank you.

Hotch

Thanks for posting this.

theyolksonyou

Tjcoley said:

Should be required reading on a regular basis.  It's interesting, I always thought of the Founding Fathers as elder Statesmen.  On July 4, 1776, George Washington was 44, Jefferson was 33, Alexander Hamilton was only 21 years old, James Madison was 25, James Monroe was only 18, and Betsy Ross was 24.  A young men's revolution.  You could say life spams were much shorter, however the average age at death of the Founding Fathers was 67, with many living into their eighties and even nineties.

I always thought of them as older. Never did the research. Thanks for posting. That's fascinating. To help found the greatest country in the world as a teen/twenty something, wow. 

Tjcoley

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance commentary - great perspective.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/redskeltonpledgeofallegiance.htm

Botch

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on this date, 190 years ago.
 
Not to put a damper on things.  
 
Great thread!  

SGH

Brother Cap, I can't think of a more appropriate post for the 4th than the DOI. Happy 4th brother. 

RRP

BRAVO! Thanks for the original post and the meaningful additions to it! Happy Birthday USA!

theyolksonyou

This seems appropriate. Not to hijack. 

shtgunal3

Happy Independance Day to all. 

RRP

Uncle Sam helping me out! I made this 30 years ago and proudly display it every year!

SGH

@RRP
Thats cool ole buddy. 

DoubleEgger

theyolksonyou said:

This seems appropriate. Not to hijack. 

I find it funny that we are celebrating our Independence while chastising Great Britain for wanting theirs. 

Jeremiah

That's really neat @RRP any way I could talk you into making another???

jtcBoynton

theyolksonyou said:

Tjcoley said:

Should be required reading on a regular basis.  It's interesting, I always thought of the Founding Fathers as elder Statesmen.  On July 4, 1776, George Washington was 44, Jefferson was 33, Alexander Hamilton was only 21 years old, James Madison was 25, James Monroe was only 18, and Betsy Ross was 24.  A young men's revolution.  You could say life spams were much shorter, however the average age at death of the Founding Fathers was 67, with many living into their eighties and even nineties.

I always thought of them as older. Never did the research. Thanks for posting. That's fascinating. To help found the greatest country in the world as a teen/twenty something, wow. 

Of those listed, only Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence.  Most of the signers were "middle aged". Primarily in their thirties (17), forties (19) or fifties (11).  A couple of twenty somethings and a handful of elders in their sixties (6).  Of course, Ben Franklin was 70 at the time.