American Revolution Effects

Picture brought from: http://imageprocessor.websimages.com/fit/1920x1920

The Declaration of Independence was made to explain to foreign countries why the colonies chose to depart from Great Britain. This document was signed by 56 representatives in the United States of America. On June 11, 1776 the Continental Congress appointed five leaders, who was named the Committe of Five, to write the Declaration of Independence. The members of the Committe of Five was, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Agreement from the five members, Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson finished the draft after a few weeks, the group made a few changes and presented the Declaration to the Congress on June 28, 1776. On July 4, 1776 the Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence. In honor, this day is still celebrated In the United States as Independence Day.

Click on the link down below to read the transcript of the Declaration of Independence :

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?flash=true&page=transcript&doc=2&title=Transcript+of+Declaration+of+Independence+(1776

Fun Facts about the Declaration of Independence

• The movie National Treasure says that there is a secret written on the back of the original document. There isn't a secret, but there is some writing. It says "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776".
• You can see the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives in Washington, DC. It's on display in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.
• John Hancock's famous signature is almost five inches long. He was also the first to sign the document.
• Robert R. Livingston was a member of the Committee of Five, but didn't get to sign the final copy.
• One member of Congress, John Dickenson, did not sign the Declaration of Independence because he still hoped that they could have peace with Britain and remain a part of the British Empire.
• Two signers of the Declaration that later became president of the United States were Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Fun facts brought from: http://www.ducksters.com/history/declaration_of_independence.php