We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Thomas Jefferson
We Hold These Truths to Be
Topic: Society & Civil Religion
“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.“
Thomas Jefferson, born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Colony of Virginia, British America, emerged as a significant figure in the early political landscape of the United States. His intellectual pursuits and commitment to the Enlightenment ideals of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights significantly influenced the nation's trajectory towards independence from Great Britain. As the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson articulated a vision of individual freedoms and egalitarian principles that aimed to serve as the bedrock of the new republic. His political career further evolved as he took on the role of the second vice president of the United States under John Adams from 1797 to 1801, marking his deepening involvement in the nation's governance.
Ascending to the presidency in 1801, Jefferson's tenure as the third president of the United States till 1809 was marked by efforts to establish a government of restraint, aimed at safeguarding the liberties enshrined in the founding documents. During his presidency, the Louisiana Purchase was accomplished, significantly expanding the nation's territory. Yet, his presidency also saw controversies, including the Embargo Act which proved unpopular. Jefferson's philosophical underpinnings, deeply influenced by Epicurean, Stoic and Enlightenment thought, often informed his political decisions and the articulation of a vision for the republic that prioritized individual liberty and a restrained government.
Passing away on July 4, 1826, in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S., at the age of 83, Jefferson's legacy continues to be a subject of discussion and analysis. His resting place at Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia, serves as a reminder of his contributions to the formative stages of the United States. Jefferson's life reflects a complex interplay of intellectual vigor, political acumen, and a deep-seated belief in certain philosophical principles. His writings, particularly the Declaration of Independence, continue to serve as fundamental texts underscoring the values upon which the nation was founded, and his presidency marked significant events in the early history of the United States. His influence endures, shaping discussions on individual rights, government's role, and the philosophical underpinnings of the nation's core beliefs.
The Declaration of Independence
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture II. Universal Peace Federation, 2011, p. 995 [The Declaration of Independence (The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, in Congress, July 4, 1776)].
Thomas Jefferson
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Thomas Jefferson et al. The Declaration of Independence
June 11, 1776
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston appointed to a committee to draft a declaration of independence.
June 12-27, 1776
Jefferson, at the request of the committee, drafts a declaration, of which only a fragment exists. Jefferson’s clean, or “fair” copy, the “original Rough draft,” is reviewed by the committee. Both documents are in the manuscript collections of the Library of Congress.
July 4, 1776
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. John Dunlap prints the Declaration of Independence. These prints are now called “Dunlap Broadsides.” Twenty-four copies are known to exist, two of which are in the Library of Congress. One of these was Washington’s personal copy.