Declaration Memorization

(m-hmm,

yeah)

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.

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 the People to alter or to abolish

it, and to institute new Government,

laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such

form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety

and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed

for light and transient causes;

and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to

suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the

forms to which they are accustomed.

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations,

pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under

absolute Despotism, it is their right,

it is their duty,

to throw off such

Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

— Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such

is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former

Systems of Government.

The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history

of repeated injuries and usurpations,

all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over

these States.

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to

a candid world.

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.

(our sacred honor...

yeah)