Summary: This Fourth of July, exercise your right to learn new vocabulary words! -- The Declaration of Independence says: "We hold these truths to be self-evident," That means they're clear for all to see "that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator" That means God gave them that equality for free "with certain unalienable rights" Which means they can't be taken away "among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" That's what the Declaration of Independence does say! And that's not all it says. It continues "To secure these rights, Governments are instituted" A fancy way of saying that they are begun "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" Their power's based on the agreement of everyone "And when they become destructive of these ends, " When the government fails its citizens "it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it" The people can just get together and demolish it That's what the Declaration of Independence says! Now think for a moment about what this means It means you're not beholden to kings or queens When it's time to choose a government, you get your say Because the people have the power in the USA Thanks to the Declaration of Independence!
