U.S. Declaration of Independence: Difference between revisions
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The primary author was [[Thomas Jefferson]], selected by Adams and Franklin because he was the best writer. Early drafts exist dating to June 1776.<ref name="Jefferson Early Draft">{{cite web | |||
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| title=Transcription of the Fragment of the Composition Draft of the Declaration of Independence | accessdate=2007-08-04 }}</ref> | | title=Transcription of the Fragment of the Composition Draft of the Declaration of Independence | accessdate=2007-08-04 }}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 16:30, 1 October 2007
The Declaration of Independence, unanimously approved by the second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, created a new nation, the "United States of America." It formally "dissolved the connection" between the thirteen states which had acted as the "United Colonies" and Great Britain. July 4 is still celebrated as the nation's birthday.
The "Declaration Committee," which included Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and John Adams of Massachusetts, was appointed by Congress on June 11, 1776, to draft a declaration in anticipation of an expected vote in favor of American independence, which occurred on July 2. [1]
The primary author was Thomas Jefferson, selected by Adams and Franklin because he was the best writer. Early drafts exist dating to June 1776.[2]
Signers
There are 56 signatures on the declaration of independence [3]
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Delaware
- New York
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
References
- ↑ Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents. Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
- ↑ Transcription of the Fragment of the Composition Draft of the Declaration of Independence. Retrieved on 2007-08-04.
- ↑ Signers of the Declaration. Retrieved on 2007-08-04.