All,

I hope everyone is enjoying this day of celebration commemorating the declaration of our nation’s independence from the monarchy of our home country England. Remember to explain to those who will listen why the words “When in the course of human events …” are important, because these words begin the document that founded our country. That first paragraph expounds the reason for the document … but the second paragraph is the really important defining address: 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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. The rest of the document goes on to prove the case that the established order and government needed to be overthrown. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

It is all to easy to forget that the “reason for the season” is The Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson and that it forms the ultimate basis of the country that is now the United States of America. Try to pass a little of that historical background on to the youngsters while you are going to the block buster summer movie, fireworks display or any of the other holiday activities we are enjoying with family and friends.

Sincerely,

Jack B. Slack