Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

154

Independence Declaration of

THE FOUNDERS

The language of the Declaration

summed up years of colonial

frustration with British rule, asserting

that “all men are created equal” and

are thus entitled to “life, liberty,

and the pursuit of happiness.” Among

the five men who served on the

committee to draft the Declaration

were two future presidents—John

Adams and Thomas Jefferson—and

Benjamin Franklin, a writer, scientist,

and diplomat who was, in his lifetime,

one of the most famous men in the

world. These men are often called

America’s “founding fathers.”

FOURTH OF JULY

The Declaration of Independence

was adopted on July 4, 1776. To

mark this great event, the Fourth

of July, or Independence Day, is

celebrated as a great national

holiday. Philadelphia’s citizens

marked the first anniversary of

freedom with a spontaneous

celebration, and in 1873,

Pennsylvania became the first state

to declare Independence Day a

holiday. Now, Americans mark the

day with barbecues, picnics, family

gatherings, and fireworks.

SIGNERS

After its adoption, the Declaration was

copied onto parchment and signed

by 56 members of the Continental

Congress. One signature, by John

Hancock, is much larger than the others.

Today, Americans often ask for your “John

Hancock” when they want your signature.

LIBERTY BELL

This famous symbol of

American independence

was rung every Fourth of

July until a crack silenced

it in 1948. The bell is

displayed in Philadelphia

at the Independence

National Historical Park.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), a wealthy

Virginia landowner and lawyer, drew on his

knowledge of political philosophy to craft the

Declaration. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826,

on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

The Declaration of

Independence is

signed by members

of the Continental

Congress.

Americans celebrate the

Fourth of July in Center

Square, Philadelphia, in 1819.

WITH ITS BOLD PROCLAMATION that the people have a right to

a government of their own choice, the Declaration of Independence

announced the separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great

Britain in 1776. When armed conflict began between Britain and its colonies

in 1775, few American colonists wanted separation from British rule. Instead,

they sought to gain a voice in the British government. However, as Britain

clamped down on its rebels, sending large armies to the colonies, support

grew for the idea of the colonists securing their freedom outside the Empire.

In the summer of 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to

draft a document—the Declaration of Independence—explaining why

the colonists should be free to govern themselves.

American revolution

Constitution

Colonial america

Franklin, benjamin

Jefferson, thomas

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