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.
They are, perhaps the less familiar, but just as poignant words to one of the two most important documents in our country’s history. One sentence. To explain to the rest of the world why “one people” chose to secede from its government. All in the name of ideals.
This country was born behind the conviction of a declaration expressed in written word. Community leaders standing in unified strength to defy an unfair and unjust governing body that was the British monarchy. A bold demand to King George III that those who stood on this land must be treated as equals to those in England. As Americans, we are enamored with the words of great men and women, wordsmiths who can capture the imagination, stir the spirit and project what defines our greatest virtues.