“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the 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…”
Great weather here in Seattle. To most people it might mean a day off work, family and friends, fireworks and backyard barbecues, but it’s worth thinking about just how much the colonialists had been through to get to that point.
Addition: From Maverick Philosopher: The Difference Between Patriotism And Jingoism.
It’s not a fancy photo, but it’ll do: