David Armitage said in an article titled, The Declaration of

Independence in a Global Perspective that, No American document

has had a greater global impact than the Declaration of Independence.
It has been fundamental to American history longer than any other text
because it was the first to use the name the United States of
America: in this sense, the Declaration was the birth certificate of the
American nation. It enshrined what came to be seen as the most
succinct and memorable statement of the ideals on which that nation
was founded: the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
the consent of the governed; and resistance to tyranny. And, as the
first successful declaration of independence in world history, its
example helped to inspire countless movements for independence,
self-determination, and revolution after 1776. One of its most
enthusiastic admirers was the nineteenth-century Hungarian
nationalist, Lajos Kossuth: for him, the Declaration was nothing less
than the noblest, happiest page in mankinds history (Armitage,
gilderlehrman.org)
Every year on the Fourth of July, families across the United States
celebrate our freedom with fireworks, American flag apparel,
barbeques, parades, and pool parties. We celebrate our freedom as a
nation and unite in a cross-country celebration. At this time every year
I am reminded of the sacrifices our Founding Fathers made in an effort
to give me the best future possible. Even though I remember why I am
free, I think a lot of people forget what the Fourth of July truly
commemorates. As I reflect on this past semester and all the events
that have shaped American history before 1877, I dont think one
particular event was as special as the creation of the Declaration of
Independence. Three weeks after the first shots of the American
Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord, delegates from 13 of
Britains North American colonies assembled at Philadelphia as the
Second Continental Congress, whose purpose was to coordinate the
common defense of the colonies and to give them a united voice. For a
time the Congress hoped it was possible to reach some fort of
reconciliation with Britain. But after a year of open warfare, such hopes
were waning (The Declaration is Adopted). The Declaration of
Independence brought our Founding Fathers together in a way that
they believed would be most beneficial to the future of this beautiful
country they came to. They believed that the King of England was
being unfair politically and economically to their beloved 13 colonies.
As a way of showing their power, even though they were small, they
created the Declaration of Independence as a way of, I guess you could
say, sticking it to the man. The Declaration of Independence,
drafted mostly by Thomas Jefferson, was divided into two parts. The
first was the preamble offering the theoretical justification for the
founding of the United States. The second part consisted of a series of

grievances that had lead the colonies to take such a bold action (The
Congress Votes on Independence). The Declaration of Independence, in
summary, was a way for the 13 American colonies to break their
political ties with Great Britain. An independent decision. A bold
decision. A necessary move.
It wasnt an easy decision to break away from their Mother and
many of the men in political positions, and many members of the
colonies, desired to continue their relations with Britain. However, it
was the most radical members of politics that wanted to convince the
people that being independent was the best decision for the future of
America. Founding fathers like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson,
and John Adams were all in favor of breaking to be independents,
however, they would have to convince their fellow men of the same
thing. The continental Congress resumed its consideration of Lees
resolution of independence of July 1. The following day, July 2, 1776, it
took the historic step of adopting the resolution declaring the colonies
independent of Great Britain. The delegates next began consideration
of the formal documentprepared by the committee appointed for the
purposethat would announce their decision to the world. On the
evening of July 4, this document, the Declaration of Independence, was
approved (The Congress Votes on Independence).
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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted
among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed, That whenever any form of government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of these People to alter or to
abolish it, and institute new government, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing powers in such form, as to them shall seem
most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness (The Declaration of
Independence). As Ive come to love the Declaration of Independence,
the first paragraph speaks volumes and I can imagine how shook the
British government was when they received such a powerful
document. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness were the rights
that are endowed to us by our Creator. We, as Americans, are enabled
to change government when we see it becoming too corrupt. We are
given the right to change policies and laws. Overall, this country was
made for the people.
Over the course of American history, many people have criticized
the Founding Fathers for using the statement all men are created
equal. Throughout our nations history, we have enslaved the African
race, chased the Native Americans out of their homes, and belittled
women until the 1900s suffrage movement. With the discrimination
that occurred, it proved that not all men were created equal. Senator
Stephan Douglas in 1858 said, I believe the Declaration of

Independence, in the words all men are created equal, was intended
to allude only to the people of the United States, to men of European
birth or descent, being which men, that they were created equal, and
hence that Great Britain had no right to deprive them of their political
and religious privileges (Source 11) and Howard Zinn, in 1980 said,
The use of the phrase all men are created equal was probably not a
deliberate attempt to make a statement about women. It was just that
women were beyond consideration as worthy of inclusion. They were
politically invisible. Though practical needs gave women a certain
authority in the home, on the farm, or in occupations like midwifery,
they were simply overlooked in any consideration of political rights,
any notions of civil equality (Source 17). Its interesting to note that
our country has come such a long way from the Declaration of
Independence and its statement of all men are created equal.
While the signers of the Declaration thought of "the people" more
narrowly than we do today, they articulated principles that are still vital
markers of American ideals. And while the Declaration did not initially
lead to equality for all, it did provide an inspiring start on working
toward equality (UShistory.org) Through the civil war, abolishment of
slavery, womens suffrage movement, civil rights movement, and,
more recently, the feminist movements and equality movements, I
believe America is making the statement all men are created equal
truer now than ever.
In conclusion, I believe that the Declaration of Independence
singlehandedly changed our nation forever. Because the Founding
Fathers broke ties with our Motherland, Great Britain, we are a country
that people dream about coming to. America is a country built on the
beliefs that we have certain unalienable rights which are Life,
Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. If we hadnt broken away from
the British back in 1776, I wonder how different our nation would be?
Nevertheless, I am free and I am happy.
Works Cited:
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/roadrevolution/essays/declaration-independence-global-perspective
Historical Moments: Changing Interpretations of Americas Past, class
textbook.