Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration: 4th Grade Thomas Jefferson

A Pivotal Role

Thomas Jefferson, a 33-year-old from Virginia, was tasked with leading this important work. Jefferson was a remarkable individual known for his curiosity, creativity, and intelligence. He wore many hats throughout his life, serving as a lawyer, inventor, scientist, architect, politician, diplomat, writer, and farmer. Despite his young age, Jefferson played a pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, contributing significantly to its creation.

The Second Continental Congress worked hard to finalize a document that would declare the colonies’ independence from Britain. This document became known as the Declaration of Independence. It wasn’t an easy task – delegates spent days editing and debating the draft of the Declaration, making a total of 86 changes to the original text. Finally, on July 4, 1776, they reached an agreement on the final version.

All Men Are Created Equal

One of the most important parts of the Declaration is its opening lines: “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.” Here, the Founding Fathers, or Founders, emphasized the idea that everyone is equal and has rights given to them by God. These rights include the right to live freely, think independently, and pursue happiness in their lives.

Please read the following passage to learn more about the Declaration of Independence and what it signifies for the United States.

The Declaration also explains the role of the government in protecting these rights. It states that governments are created by the people to ensure their rights are secured. If a government fails to do so, the people have the right to change it or create a new one. This idea was crucial in shaping the American government system.

On August 2, 1776, the delegates began signing the Declaration of Independence, with 56 individuals putting their names to the historic document. This day, when the Declaration was agreed upon, is often called America’s birthday and is celebrated every year on July 4th as Independence Day. People across the country come together for parades, fireworks, and barbecues to honor the bravery and determination of our Founders and the American colonists who fought for freedom.

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