This month in history: The Declaration of Independence's story

Published June 30, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Steven D. Wilson
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- "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."

These 35 words are the second statement of the Declaration of Independence and formed the cornerstone of an idea of a free and independent democracy, whose government would be comprised of the people instead of those born to title and privilege.

In his book Justifying America, author Stephen Lucas called these words "one of the best-known sentences in the English language," while history professor and author Joseph Ellis said they were some of the "most potent and consequential words in American history."

While the Declaration of Independence is woven into the fabric of America's story, some may be surprised to learn this historical document has a tale all its own.

The History

Fighting began in the Revolutionary War in April 1775 at the battle of Lexington and Concord in what were then the British American colonies. Shortly after this engagement was the now famous Battle of Bunker Hill, which was a tactical victory for the British, but an extremely costly one due to the amount of casualties the untrained colonists inflicted on Great Britain's professional army.

After Bunker Hill, the colonial delegates met again at the Second Continental Congress in July 1775 and sent the Olive Branch Petition, a document seeking peace with Britain, to the King of England.

It was rejected and the fighting continued.

Finally, on June 7, 1776, an aggressive colonial delegate from Virginia named Richard Henry Lee, who was great-uncle to the later famous Robert Everett Lee, made the resolution many were afraid to hear, and some had tried to avoid.

"Resolved, 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 Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved," Mr. Lee said, to the assembled congressional delegates.

The assembled Continental Congress tabled the resolution for approximately three weeks until it could be debated again. Meanwhile, a committee was formed to draft a document explaining the colonists rationale behind their independence should Lee's resolution pass.

The resolution was debated again until July 2.

Finally, the assembled Congress voted for independence and John Adams, according to historical documents, predicted July 2 would be a day celebrated forever in America.

July 2? But isn't July 4 celebrated as Independence Day?

Yes and here's why.

The Congress voted for independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. But, the final version of Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence wasn't approved until July 4. Therefore, July 4 is celebrated as Independence Day.

Other Declaration of Independence facts:

· According to Harvard history professor David Armitage, the final approved copy of the declaration was sent to a nearby printing press owned by John Dunlap. Two-hundred copies were made, distributed to colonial cities, newspapers and one was sent directly to George Washington. Twenty-five exist today.

· After a public reading of the declaration, a statue of King George was torn down in New York City, melted, and manufactured into musket balls.

· Historian Julian Boyd pointed out there isn't a single document that can technically be regarded as the original Declaration of Independence. Historians know of at least five legitimately signed "original" copies.

· Copies of the declaration were not published in British newspapers until mid-August 1776.

· The signers of the declaration were not listed for public view until January 18, 1777.
· John Hancock's famous signature in the center of the document measures approximately five-inches long.

· There is actually writing on the back of the declaration. It reads, "Original Declaration of Independence, dated 4th July, 1776," and is on the bottom of the parchment and upside down.

· Some historians believe the original document was not officially signed by all of the Congressional delegates until at least August 2, 1776. This remains in dispute today.

The Declaration of Independence remains one of the most important and iconic documents that served as a springboard for a novel idea: a free and independent nation governed by its own citizens.

More information about the Declaration of Independence's unique story can be found at the Web site for the National Archives at www.archives.gov.

Editor's Note: This article is the latest in the 28th Bomb Wing public affairs "This Month in History" feature. If you're a history enthusiast and would like to contribute to "This Month in History" e-mail 28bw.pa@ellsworth.af.mil.