How to read the formal language? Don't worry! Because now, in The Side-by-Side Declaration of Independence, kid patriots (and grown-ups alike!) can tackle the Declaration like never before. Decipher the original text of the Declaration on each left-hand page with help from a “plain English” translation on each right-hand page. George Washington began questioning slavery during the Revolutionary War, while he led the colonies’ battle for independence from Great Britain. Why did Washington cross the Delaware River? Find out! George Washington’s bold crossing of the Delaware River was part of his attack on the Hessian forces at Trenton. George Washington spent nearly sixteen years away from home during the Presidency and the War for Independence. Yet, he always had a desire to return home to Mount Vernon, for a peaceful retirement, to rest under the shade of his own Vine and Fig tree. DescriptionHistorical scene depicting the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress. Seated around the room, located in Independence Hall, are forty two members of Congress. On the back wall are two crossed flags with drums and trumpets above them. Standing in the front, presenting the Declaration, are the five men who drafted the Declaration, with Thomas The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later on July 4, a declaration explaining the reasons for independence, largely written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. Historical scene depicting the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress. Seated around the room, located in Independence Hall, are fort DescriptionHistorical scene depicting the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress. Seated around the room, located in Independence Hall, are forty two members of Congress. On the back wall are two crossed flags with drums and trumpets above them. Standing in the front, presenting the Declaration, are the five men who drafted the Declaration, with Thomas Mount Vernon, VA, June 23, 2025 —Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to deliver remarks to new citizens on Independence Day at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, one of the most historically significant venues in America. During the 1780s and 1790s, an era when neither public museums nor a national library existed, visitors to Mount Vernon viewed John Trumbull's iconic image of the signing of the Declaration The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later on July 4, a declaration explaining the reasons for independence, largely written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. Washington received an official notification via a letter dated July 6 from John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, along with a copy of the declaration. Bring your lunch and learn about Library Fellow Edward J. Larson's research project, Declaring Independence: Jefferson, Adams, Paine and the Revolutionary Year of 1776. Bring your lunch and learn about Library Fellow Steven Sarson's research project, History and Historical Consciousness in the US Declaration of Independence. Using the resources at the George Washington Presidential Library, Sarson is continuing his research for his new book entitled “When in the Course of human events”: History and Historical Consciousness in the US Declaration of The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history, and it will be turning 250 years old in 2026. Join the Youth Programs team to learn more about the Declaration, the people who signed it, Washington's response to it, and why it matters today. DescriptionHistorical scene depicting the presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress. Seated around the room, located in Independence Hall, are forty two members of Congress. On the back wall are two crossed flags with drums and trumpets above them. Standing in the front, presenting the Declaration, are the five men who drafted the Declaration, with Thomas This year's exciting program, co-hosted by the George Washington's Presidential Library and More Perfect, will explore five goals for democratic renewal as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Bring your lunch and learn about Library Fellow Steven Sarson's research project, History and Historical Consciousness in the US Declaration of Independence. When looking at the Declaration of Independence, consider these questions: Why do you think these men wanted to write a Declaration to the King? How do you think the King reacted when hearing their grievances? Where do you see similarities? What does the Declaration list that the Bill of Rights does not? Bring your lunch and learn about Library Fellow Richard Bell's research project, America’s Birth Certificate: The Declaration of Independence. Using the resources at the George Washington Presidential Library, Bell is continuing research for his upcoming book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World which reframes America's War of Independence as a transformative international The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. Two days later on July 4, a declaration explaining the reasons for independence, largely written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to dissolved the connection between "this country" and Great Britain, declaring the "United Colonies of North America" to be free and independent states. Congress ratified the text of the Declaration on July 4, and it reached the King of England six months later. Image courtesy of the National Archives.
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