The Declaration of Independence (as read by Max McLean)
2,497,763
Published 2012-07-02
• The Declaration of Independence - Rea...
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a resolution earlier in the year which made a formal declaration inevitable. A committee was assembled to draft the formal declaration, to be ready when congress voted on independence. Adams persuaded the committee to select Thomas Jefferson to compose the original draft of the document, which congress would edit to produce the final version. The Declaration was ultimately a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The Independence Day of the United States of America is celebrated on July 4, the day Congress approved the wording of the Declaration.
as read by Max McLean:
www.listenersbible.com/products/audio-cds/we-hold-…
background music:
"Journey to the Line"
Hans Zimmer
from the movie soundtrack - "The Thin Red Line"
www.amazon.com/The-Thin-Red-Line/dp/B001BKPPKS/ref…
"After Antietam"
James Horner
from the movie soundtrack - "Glory"
www.amazon.com/Glory-Original-Motion-Picture-Sound…
Quotes from signers:
"Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak the sentiments of America."
Thomas Jefferson
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Benjamin Franklin
"I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth."
John Adams
"There, I guess King George will be able to read that."
John Hancock
"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right...and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge, I mean of the characters and conduct of their rulers."
John Adam
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
Thomas Jefferson
"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance."
John Adams
"Equal and exact justice to all men...freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of person under the protection of the habeas corpus; and trial by juries impartially selected,these principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us."
Thomas Jefferson
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin
Read more: Independence Day (July 4th): Quotations from Signers of the Declaration of Independence — Infoplease.com www.infoplease.com/spot/july4quotes.html#ixzz1zVnN…
All Comments (21)
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This document is needed now more than ever - 2020
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Every American should be required to listen to this in 2021
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I am an American, born and raised in America. If ever was a time for us to live by these words, it is now people. We must declare our Independence again.
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As a Canadian living LEGALLY in Kentucky, listening to this document makes me so glad I was able to move here. I can only Thank God for this blessing.
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I REMOVE MY CONSENT TO BE GOVERNED BY CRIMINALS POSING AS PUBLIC SERVANTS WHOM VIOLATE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.
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"Resistance To Tyrants Is Obedience To God" - Thank you Mr. Jefferson.
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I am 82 and first time I have heard the complete words thank you
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Every American should watch this in 2023
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I'm not american, but I believe this writing didnt just change The United States but the world at large. It gives me goosebumps.
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Best wishes from Ireland to the good Patriots of America 🇮🇪🇺🇲🇮🇪🇺🇲🇮🇪🇺🇲
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I listen to this on Independence Day every year. Thank you for posting this. God bless America.
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I am a Salvadoran-American naturalized, yet I get chills, and tears every time I listen the declaration of independence of the US. 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 So willing to fight in honor, and give my life for this country, the land of free.
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“The greatest break-up letter in the history of the world” is how my constitution teacher puts it!
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I'm English, and believe this might be one of the world's greatest writings.
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I am an American, and one from Massachusetts, the fist state to stand up for freedom, the home of The Sons of Liberty, like Samuel Adams. This declaration makes me proud to be American, we stand up against tyrants, terrorists and dictators. God bless America 🇺🇸
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The Greatest piece of writing ever. Every American should know what it says. That's what they should teach in School, instead of what they do.
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We need this now more than ever 🗽🇺🇸🙏
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Have a paper copy. One day it might not be around to save. Print off all vital documents, before they are lost forever.
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"Our Sacred Honor" I would describe these closing words as such, to be American is an intrinsic bond to all your countrymen. This is the essence of Patriotism! It isn't something you are born with, rather it is something you feel where you want the best for yourself and for all those around you. You desire respect and greatness and believe that those around you also desire these lofty goals. This is the America we should be chasing!
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I am American and I am proud of who I am, I will fight for my country and I will defend it with my life for my family and friends for this country! God save our American States! 🇺🇸🎆
