The Declaration of Independence Around the World (2024)

How have the words and ideas in the Declaration of Independence impacted human rights around the world?

1776 North America

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.

The words all men are created equal have echoed throughout history.

1789 France

Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.

Since 1776, there have been approximately 120 declarations of independence made by different countries and different peoples.

What does all men are created equal mean to you?

1863 United States

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Why do you think Thomas Jefferson's words have echoed as often as they have?

1930 - India and Pakistan

We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil...

What patterns do you notice within this timeline?

1963 United States

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

Whose stories and struggles are represented?

1973 United States

All men are created equal and they are endowed with certain inalienable rights . . . that’s what America is. No matter how hard you try, you cannot erase those words from the Declaration of Independence.

If rights can be gained, can they also be lost?

1984 China

We believe -- and we believe it so deeply that Americans know these words by heart -- we believe ``that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'' Take an American student or teacher aside later today and ask if he or she hasn't committed those words to memory. They are from the document by which we created our nation, the Declaration of Independence.

Is all men are created equal being lived up to in our country today? When will we know when it is?

2013 United States

What makes us exceptional -- what makes us American -- is our allegiance to an idea articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: '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.' Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time.

What victories in the struggle for human rights are missing from this timeline?

2014 Tunisia

Taking pride in the struggle of our people to gain independence and build the state, to free ourselves from tyranny, to affirm our free will...A political system ... that guarantees respect for human rights and freedoms, independence of the judiciary, equality of rights and duties between all citizens, male and female, and equality between all regions...

The Declaration of Independence was written over 200 years ago.
Will it still be relevant in another 200?

What Comes Next?

This ball of liberty, I believe […], is now so well in motion that it will roll round the globe.

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The Declaration of Independence Around the World

Sources for Quotations

All sources last checked on September 24, 2018.

The Declaration of Independence Around the World (2024)

FAQs

What is the Declaration of Independence answers? ›

The Declaration of Independence states three basic ideas: (1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a ...

What are the 3 most important lines in the Declaration of Independence? ›

These are the lines contemporary Americans know best: “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.” These stirring words were designed to convince ...

What are the 27 grievances? ›

The 27 grievances is a section from the United States Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress's Committee of Five drafted the document listing their grievances with the actions and decisions of King George III with regard to the Colonies in North America.

What is the central point of the Declaration of Independence Brainpop answer? ›

What is the central point of the Declaration of Independence? That the colonies were breaking with England to form their own country.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence answer? ›

Written in June 1776, Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, included eighty-six changes made later by John Adams (1735–1826), Benjamin Franklin 1706–1790), other members of the committee appointed to draft the document, and by Congress.

What is the Declaration of Independence in simple terms? ›

The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful.

How many times is God mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? ›

There are four references to God in the Declaration: The "laws of nature and of nature's God" entitle the United States to independence. Men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." Congress appeals "to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions."

What are the three 3 main parts of the 1776 Declaration of Independence? ›

The final draft of the Declaration of Independence contains a preamble, a list of grievances, a formal declaration of independence, and signatures.

What is the best quote for freedom? ›

Nelson Mandela. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

What was the biggest grievance in the Declaration of Independence? ›

"For imposing taxes on us without our consent." The basic grievance of Parliament asserting that they had the right to tax the colonies in any way they desired, and the colonists insisting that in the case of internal taxes, only legislative entities that they had representation in could enact internal taxes.

Why did the British cut off trade? ›

In October 1775, the Parliament of Great Britain, under Lord North, First Lord of the Treasury, decided that sterner measures would be taken to subdue the rebellion now underway in the 13 North American colonies. To that end, they decreed a blockade against the trade of the 13 colonies by passing the Prohibitory Act.

Where did the 13 colonies meet? ›

The Congress first met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774, with delegates from each of the 13 colonies except Georgia.

Who were the 5 people who wrote the Declaration of Independence? ›

On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress entrusted a committee of five delegates (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman) with composing the Declaration of Independence.

What are the 4 key concepts in the Declaration of Independence? ›

Consider the four key ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence — equality, unalienable rights, consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish government.

What is the one thing that the Declaration of Independence is remembered for? ›

Declaration of Independence, in U.S. history, document that was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and that announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.

An Overview of the Declaration of IndependenceNational Park Service (.gov)https://www.nps.gov ›

Jefferson finished his timeless defense of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in little more than two weeks, and like most writers, he was no stranger...
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It marked an official step taken by the American col...

The Declaration of Independence IN ...

National Council for the Social Studies
https://www.socialstudies.org
National Council for the Social Studies
https://www.socialstudies.org
PDF
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 am...

What is our Declaration of Independence? ›

By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' motivations for seeking independence.

What is the Declaration of Independence quizlet? ›

The Declaration of Independence is a document that declared that the United States were independent from Britian and that a new country would be formed out of its former colonies.

What is the Declaration of Independence really saying? ›

Formal declaration of independence

The final paragraph, beginning with "We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America," affirms that the 13 colonies are free and independent states. It breaks all ties with the British government and people.

What was the Declaration of Independence in response to? ›

The Declaration was adopted at a point in time when Congress had determined that their grievances against Great Britain were irreconcilable and the majority in Congress agreed that independence was the best solution.

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