Things on Which The Founding Fathers Unanimously Agreed

• The statement of independence adopted by the Continental Congress in July of 1776 was meant to explain to the King of England why the colonies were breaking away from British Rule. Congress had voted to do so two days earlier, on July 2, 1776. The Declaration of Independence stated, "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 rights are constitutional rights for each American to this day. It said that people should not change their government without a good reason, but when government is getting in the way of these basic rights, people have the right to a new government.
  
  

Grievances Against The British

• Included in the Declaration of Independence was the list of grievances Congress had against the King of England. He had given Congress the liberty to pass laws, which he then failed to endorse. They stated that the King purposely made the act of passing laws so difficult that it was virtually impossible for Congress to do so. He wouldn't allow new settlers to leave Britain for America, and he wouldn't let the current settlers settle on more land (which would need to be seized from Native Americans). Congress was not allowed to appoint new judges. New judges were appointed solely by the King, and Congress complained that this was unjust because no judge would then side against the King in any case. The King sent unwanted government officials to the colonies and demanded the colonists pay their salaries. He would send British soldiers when there was no need for them and force the colonists to house them. These soldiers behaved as though they were above the law. Free trade was not allowed and high taxes were imposed on the colonists. People standing trial had to travel all the way to England to do so, which was highly disruptive in their lives.
  
  

Thomas Jefferson

• Congress selected a committee to pen the Declaration of Independence on June 11th, 1776. The committee included John Adams, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Roger Sherman. The committee then elected to turn this task over the Thomas Jefferson. John Adams insisted upon doing so because he declared that Jefferson's prose style was far better than his own. Some amendments were made when the document was presented to Congress on July 4th, 1776. Thomas Jefferson had wanted to eradicate slavery, referring to it as "this assemblage of horrors" but other Congress members disagreed. Ironically, Congress made this amendment in a document that declared "all men are equal."
  
  

Famous Signatures on the Document

• John Hancock's signature is by far the most famous. He purposely wrote his name in large script using a quill pen because he wanted the King of England to see his name. Today the term John Hancock has become synonymous for "signature". Other famous people who signed the Declaration of Independence include Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton and Samuel Adams.