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.
Our nation’s most important document, The Declaration of Independence, was authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, in conjunction with John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Livingston, and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
The original document is located at the National Archives in Washington D.C. According to the National Archives website, the original document has faded because of poor preservation techniques in the 19th century. If you visit our nation’s capital, a tour of the National Archives is a must. You will have an opportunity to see the original Declaration of Independence, plus the original U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
While you’re in the nation’s capital, you can also enjoy a side trip to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, just a couple of hours outside of the capital in Charlottesville, Virginia.
If you are closer to Philadelphia, a tour of Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park will allow you to see exactly where the Continental Congress met and signed the Declaration. If you are in the Philadelphia area this upcoming weekend, Independence Hall will be commemorating the 236th anniversary of the first public reading of the declaration with an outdoor reading on July 8, 2012 at 11:30 am.
You can also visit all of these locations on the web at:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html
http://www.nps.gov/inde/historyculture/public-reading-of-declaration-of-independence.htm
A View From the Room 