1.

Drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 became the defining event in

Thomas Jefferson's life. Despite Jefferson's desire to return to Virginia to help write
that state's constitution, the Continental Congress appointed him to the five-person
committee for drafting a declaration of independence. That committee subsequently
assigned him the task of producing a draft document for its consideration. Drawing on
documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for
independence, and his own draft of a Virginia constitution, Jefferson wrote a stunning
statement of the colonists' right to rebel against the British government and establish
their own based on the premise that all men are created equal and have the inalienable
rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the many revisions made
by Jefferson, the committee, and then by Congress, Jefferson retained his prominent
role in writing the defining document of the American Revolution and, indeed, of the
United States. Jefferson was critical of changes to the document, particularly the
removal of a long paragraph that attributed responsibility of the slave trade to British
King George III. Jefferson was justly proud of his role in writing the Declaration of
Independence and skillfully defended his authorship of this hallowed document. The
importance of the Declaration of Independence can hardly be overstated. It
established for the first time in world history a new nation based on the First
Principles of the rule of law, unalienable rights, limited government, the Social
Compact, equality, and the right to alter or abolish oppressive government.
2. God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness - it is very good because it tells that God made all people equal despite of
their color and their race. 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.
3. The importance of the Declaration of Independence can hardly be overstated. It
established for the first time in world history a new nation based on the First
Principles of the rule of law, unalienable rights, limited government, the Social
Compact, equality, and the right to alter or abolish oppressive government.The
Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of
the United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring
independence from British rule.
4. It was used as an announcement of a new nation's founding, as a diplomatic appeal
for recognition, as a statement of political philosophy and as a call to defend liberty at
home and abroad. Today, as our democracy comes under pressure at home and from
hostile actors abroad, the Declaration is as relevant as ever.America's independence
signaled a fundamental change: once-dependent British colonies became independent
states that could make war, create alliances with foreign nations, and engage freely in
commerce.The most important and dramatic statement comes near the end: “That
these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” It
declares a complete break with Britain and its King and claims the powers of an
independent country.