Women for the American Constitution

The Declaration of Independence
Part One of Twelve
The Preamble

The Declaration of Independence is the philosophical cornerstone of our nation. It explains both the reasons for the American Revolution and the kind of nation the Founders intended to create. It is one of the most significant documents both in American and world history. We would like to take some time over the next few weeks to read it, section by section. Today we begin with the first section, the preamble.

“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.”

When Thomas Jefferson wrote these words he did not think he was creating something which would come to mean so much to the country. It was yet another statement or petition written by the colonists to be ignored by the king and Parliament. But there is something in these words which stirred the people so much that they made July 4th our nation’s birthday even though independence had been declared on July 2nd. Of the vote on independence Adams said,

“But the day is past. The second day of July, 1776, will be a memorable epochs in the history. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever.”

When the Declaration was read out to the people, it had such an affect that the 2nd was henceforth ignored and the 4th celebrated in the very ways listed by Adams.

But what do these words mean? The English language is a dynamic one, ever changing. It has been 250 years since it was written. So let us look at the meaning.

“When in the Course of human events”
- When things happen

“it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another”
- it becomes necessary for a people to break their ties 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”
- and to take on the responsibility of governing themselves as God entitles them

“a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
- respect for their fellow man requires that they explain why they are separating.

So the preamble can be translated into modern English as:

When things happen so it becomes necessary for a people to break their ties with another and to take on the responsibility of governing themselves as God entitles them, a respect for their fellow man requires that they explain why they are separating.

The preamble explains the purpose of the document. Jefferson and the Second Continental Congress intended to explain to King George III, Parliament, and the world why the colonists have been fighting the British army for over a year and why they meant to be free.

Please join us as we read through the Declaration. And please invite your friends.

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Congratulations to our very own, Skyline Region Director, Flint Engleman! We are so lucky to benefit from the BEST of AFP!

Our first honorary member of Women for the American Constitution, Flora Patterson Erekson. A former President of ACRWL, she was an inspiration to us all …. so many years ago!

GUN RIGHTS! Please join us on Thursday, May 28th, to discuss Virginia and the 2nd Amendment to our U.S. Constitution!

It was one of our best forums! Victoria Cobb gave an amazing explanation of the proposed November constitutional amendments, the SPLC indictment, and the redistricting debacle. Special thanks to Victoria and the Family Foundation of Virginia. Thanks also to the WAHS ‘26-‘27 TPUSA officers: President Olivia-Kate Crombie and VP Delaney Wagner.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Save the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Do NOT allow GERRYMANDERING. This attempt at redistricting is unconstitutional and goes against Virginia established law.

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