The Declaration of Independence is a historical document that stated the colonies wanted and would gain freedom from Britain. It eloquently expresses the reasons the colonies wanted freedom. It also blamed Britain for many abuses that King George forced and inflected upon the colonies. The Declaration of Independence includes the people's right to change or overthrow their government if it tries to deny them their rights. This document has inspired freedom loving people throughout the world.
             On July 2, 1776, the delegates started reviewing, revising, and debating Thomas Jefferson's' 1st draft. They removed a few statements that condemned King George for encouraging slave trade. The rest dealt with style. On July 4 it was adopted by the Congress and signed by John Hancock, the president of the Congress, and Charles Thomson, the secretary. On July 19 it was ordered to be written in nicer writing on parchment and all 56 delegates signed it. Thus we declared our freedom from Britain and were able to stand on our feet, unsteadily but on our feet, even though other countries doubted us.
             The Declaration is very important to us today. The World Book Encyclopedia states,
             Drawing upon the writings of the English Philosopher John Locke
             and other English thinkers, it states two universal principles
             that have been important to developing democracies ever since.
             The first principle is that governments exist for the benefit
             of the people and not their rulers, and that when a government
             turns to tyranny (unjust use of power), the people of that country
             have a right to resist and overturn the government.
             The second principle, that "all men are created equal,"
             has served as a powerful reminder that all members of a society
             are entitled to the full protection of the law and to the
             right to participate in public affairs. (76)
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