Search results
- 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...
www.archives.gov › founding-docs › declaration-transcriptDeclaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives
Aug 27, 2024 · Read the original text of the Declaration of Independence, the document that declared the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain in 1776. See the list of grievances against the king, the natural rights of man, and the conclusion of the declaration.
- What Does It Say
Enlarge Pulling down the Statue of King George III After a...
- How Did It Happen
Declaring Independence. On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to...
- Life Liberty
The Declaration of Independence states the principles on...
- Join The Signers of The Declaration
View the time line for the creation of the Declaration of...
- High Resolution Downloads
The Declaration of Independence High-Resolution Declaration...
- U.S. Constitution
Español We the People of the United States, in Order to form...
- Meet The Framers of The Constitution
En Español The original states, except Rhode Island,...
- How Was It Made
Creating the Parchment Declaration. On July 19, once all 13...
- Veterans' Service Records
Natural Disaster Requests. If you have been impacted by a...
- 1936 Faulkner Murals
En Español The National Archives Building’s architect, John...
- What Does It Say
Read the full text of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, the broadside produced by John Dunlap on July 4, 1776. Learn about the diverse textual tradition of the Declaration and the historical context of its adoption.
- Overview
- Text of the Declaration of Independence
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 has shown, 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.
He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
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 has shown, 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.
He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
www.archives.gov · declaration-of-independenceDeclaration of Independence (1776) | National Archives
Sep 20, 2022 · Read the text of the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and signed by 56 delegates. Learn about the history, meaning, and significance of this milestone document.
2 days ago · Declaration of Independence, in U.S. history, document that was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and that announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Apr 25, 2024 · Read the text of the Declaration of Independence, the document that states the principles of American government and identity. Learn about its history, condition, engraving, and influence on the Bill of Rights.
Read the text of the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and approved by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. Learn about the historical context, the grievances against Britain, and the natural rights of mankind in this primary source document.
