Old Ben Franklin was right: it had never been done before. In the past, monarchs had been overthrown, even beheaded, but even in spite of the idea that monarchs could have limitations on their powers, a people had never declared that they had certain unalienable rights that permitted them to declare independence from a monarch.
The document was flawed, of course, since the South wanted to maintain its right to hold slaves. And Abigail Adams’ words to “not forget the ladies” went unheeded. The Continental Congress was divided, some wanting reconciliation with England, others wanting to declare “independency,” as it was called.
But on this day, 248 years ago, the groundwork not just for this Nation, but for a new concept of human rights was laid. To truly honor those who knew that if they failed, they would hang, have their property seized, and their families destroyed, isn’t it necessary to continue our struggle to extend human rights, so that all have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Prayer for the Day
Remembering our past, the people of courage,
We know we bear a heavy burden, O God;
More than parades and fireworks is our legacy,
For we are called to live words of hope for humankind.
Grant, O Holy One, that we strive to extend liberty,
For so many still live in the darkness of oppression.
In the name of the One who declared that captives should be free,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
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
The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me
God has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
To bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
And release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of God’s favor,
And the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.
Isaiah 61:1-2