{"id":1539,"date":"2013-11-08T20:38:28","date_gmt":"2013-11-09T04:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.surfnetkids.com\/go\/?p=1539"},"modified":"2017-07-31T11:05:04","modified_gmt":"2017-07-31T18:05:04","slug":"ten-facts-declaration-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surfnetkids.com\/go\/1539\/ten-facts-declaration-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Facts About the Declaration of Independence"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Our<\/a>
Our founding fathers, the Continental Congress, crafting and signing the Declaration of Independence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring the 13 American colonies as independent from Britain. The colonies, which were already at war with Britain, formed a union that became the United States of America.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 The Idea of Independence Takes Place<\/b><\/p>\n

Richard Henry Lee, the Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, presented a resolution on June 7, 1776 declaring that the 13 United Colonies should be free and independent. He went on to say that Britain should have no input in the politics of the colonial states and that the states have no allegiance to Britain. This became known as the Lee Resolution.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Committee Drafts a Statement<\/b><\/p>\n

After Richard Lee presented his resolution, a Committee of Five was formed to draw up the basis for independence. The committee members were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. On July 2, 1776 in the Philadelphia State House, the Committee of Five presented Congress the draft for the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was officially approved on July 4, 1776.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Off to the Printers<\/b><\/p>\n

The Philadelphia printer, John Dunlap printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. Only 21 of the original copies exist today. The prints were posted in all the towns and cities of the 13 colonies for the public to read. The declaration was also read to the citizens in public squares, in churches and in state houses. People began carrying copies of the Declaration of Independence in parades and newspapers reprinted the document across the east coast.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 Signing the Declaration of Independence<\/b><\/p>\n

Most of the members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776 with the exception of a few. George Wythe signed it on August 7, while Richard Henry Lee, Oliver Wilcott and Elbridge Gerry signed the declaration on September 4. On November 19, Matthew Thornton added his signature and in 1781, Thomas McKean signed the document.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 A Symbol of Liberty<\/b><\/p>\n

The Declaration of Independence primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson is a symbol of liberty for the United States of America. Jefferson put into print the ideals of liberty held in the hearts of the American people fighting the tyranny of Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence lists the grievances that colonists have against Britain\u2019s king and breaks the hold Great Britain has on America.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0 The Thirteen Colonies<\/b><\/p>\n

The 13 American colonies affected by the Declaration of Independence are:<\/p>\n