That birth was unique, not only in the immensity of its later impact on the course of world history and the growth of democracy, but also because so many of the threads in our national history run back through time to come together in one place, in one time, and in one document: the Declaration of Independence. The birth of our own nation included them all. Military rebellion, civil strife, acts of heroism, acts of treachery, a thousand greater and lesser clashes between defenders of the old order and supporters of the new-all these occurrences and more have marked the emergences of new nations, large and small. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.The Declaration of Independence: A History American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. George Washington: A Biography, Volume Four, Leader of the Revolution. “General Orders, 9 July 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives. “To George Washington from John Hancock, 6 July 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives. They toppled and decapitated it, later melting down the body for bullets that would be much needed in the coming battles to defend New York and the new nation that lay beyond it.ġ. The words were so moving that citizens who had heard the declaration raced down Broadway toward a large statue of King George III. Next came Jefferson's stirring words explaining ".that all men were created equal and endowed by their Creator with the inalienable Rights of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Since King George III had trampled on these rights, as Jefferson argued in a long list of complaints against him, the people of the United States of America had the right to break the political bands that tied them to Great Britain and form a new government where the people would rule themselves. Washington explained that Congress had "dissolved the connection" between "this country" and Great Britain and declared the "United Colonies of North America" to be "free and independent states." 2 1 For the commander-in-chief, who needed to lead his untrained army against Great Britain, the decision for independence came as welcome news, especially since his men would now fight not merely in defense of their colonies but for the birth of a new nation.Īs Washington's soldiers stood ready for the brigadiers and colonels of their regiments to read the Declaration of Independence, they first heard words written by their commander. He concluded that Americans would have to rely on the "Being who controls both Causes and Events to bring about his own determination," a sentiment which Washington shared. Hancock explained that Congress had struggled with American independence for some time, and even after making this momentous decision, many members were worried about its consequences. Washington received official notification when a letter dated July 6 arrived from John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, along with a copy of the declaration. Two days later on July 4, a declaration explaining the reasons for independence, largely written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2. Even as his men waited to hear the proclamation read aloud to them, Washington knew that thousands of Hessians and even more redcoats were landing on Staten Island, preparing for an attack on New York. To those who believed peace commissioners were on their way to the colonies to effect this reconciliation, Washington responded that the only people heading to the colonies were Hessian mercenaries. He had grown impatient with representatives who hoped for reconciliation with the mother country. Washington, like many others in the army, had been waiting for this declaration for some time. General George Washington had ordered them to assemble promptly at six o'clock to hear a declaration approved by the Continental Congress calling for American independence from Great Britain. On the evening of July 9, 1776, thousands of Continental soldiers who had come from Boston to defend New York City from the British marched to the parade grounds in Lower Manhattan.
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