On June 11, 1776 the Continental Congress appointed five leaders, called the Committee of Five, to write a document explaining why they were declaring their independence. The five members were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and Thomas Jefferson. They will discover why the Declaration of Independence has become one of our most important historical documents. In it, Jefferson expressed key ideas about the purpose of government. Learn about the Declaration of Independence in this video for kids! You will see why the Declaration of Independence was such a special document! It not only announces the beginning of On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress of the British colonies in North America adopted the declaration at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The document proclaimed that the 13 original colonies of America were “free and independent states.” The Declaration of Independence declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain. It started with the Preamble, which listed the inalienable rights that the colonists felt were The Declaration of Independence is a document written in 1776 that announced to the world that the residents of the British colonies in America chose to no longer be ruled by the British government. Rather, they were creating a new country called the United States of America. Learn all about the Declaration of Independence with the resources below. Why did the 13 colonies decide they wanted to be independent from Great Britain? What are some important ideas mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? How do you think the Declaration of Independence has influenced people around the world today? The Declaration of Independence is a super important document in American history. Discover a child-friendly explanation of the Declaration of Independence, teaching kids about freedom, equality, and independence in a fun and easy-to-understand way. On July 8, 1776, the people of Philadelphia gathered at the State House (later renamed Independence Hall) to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence. They were called together by the ringing of the Liberty Bell in the belfry of the building. The Declaration of Independence, passed on July 4, 1776, reflected widespread dissatisfaction in the 13 North American colonies with increased British control. Colonists especially opposed a series of unpopular laws and taxes enacted by Britain beginning in 1764, including the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the so-called Intolerable Acts. What are you missing? What flexibility did you leave for future leaders? Could someone misunderstand your meaning? Justify your answer. “An Expression of the American Mind”: Understanding the Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence lesson plan July 4th Lesson Plans & Activities For Everyone: Text of the Declaration of The Declaration of Independence is the foundational document of the United States of America. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it explains why the Thirteen Colonies decided to separate from Great Britain during the American Revolution (1765-1789). The Declaration of Independence represents the colonists’ deepest fears and beliefs. The colonists believed they saw a clear pattern in the events that followed 1763. Some important men in the new American government decided that they had to write a letter to tell the world that they were an independent nation. Five men were chosen to work together to write this letter, which became the Declaration of Independence. Why were the colonists divided over the fight for independence? Some colonists needed the reassurance of a strong authority. Why did Washington order the Declaration of Independence read to the army? He described the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "these fragile objects which bear so great a weight of meaning to our people." The story of the Declaration of Independence as a document can only be a part of the larger history, a history still unfolding, a "weight of meaning" constantly, challenged, strengthened, and redefined. The American people believed they were being harmed by England’s leadership and that a fight for freedom was the only hope for the future of their families. The indictment of King George III addressed the harsh conditions England had placed on America. During a meeting of the Second Continental Congress on June 11, 1776, they chose five people to write a document. This document would become the Declaration of Independence. Why was the Declaration of Independence written? The Americans in the 13 colonies were British citizens, but the British parliament and king treated them in terrible ways. In June of 1776, the Continental Congress selected a committee of five men to write an official declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft this historic document, which was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
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