The Reason for the Season

"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."

So begins the masterpiece crafted by the likes of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and authored by Thomas Jefferson ('cause he could write so purdy). What a collection of great minds were hashing things out in steamy hot Philadelphia that summer!

If you know your US History - or, shoot, even seen the musical 1776 - you know the Declaration of Independence was a thorny, dangerous document to birth. Face it, everyone who had anything to do with it was guilty of treason to the Crown. They knew it and did it anyway.

The signing of the final version of the Declaration is what we celebrate today ( 'nary a hot dog or firecracker was in sight in 1776). Go read the whole thing for yourself here. It isn't long, and it's beautifully written, thank you very much Mr. Jefferson.

And while you're at it, it wouldn't kill ya' to have a go at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, either. Not as lovely to read as the DoI (Tom was in France at the time, I believe), but even more important. It'll be the most patriotic thing you can do on this 4th of July.

"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 Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Happy Independence Day 2006!