The Fourth of July is celebrated by Americans as Independence Day. This is considered the nation’s birthday because on July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed proclaiming our independence from Britain.
A copy of the Declaration of Independence can be found in the State Library collection as well as other documents relating to the country’s independence—including a Resolve from the Massachusetts House of Representative from 1776 relating to the possibility of the Congress declaring the colonies to be independent and another from the Colony of Massachusett’s-Bay, in 1776, supporting the war.
Visit the Independence Hall Association’s site at http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/ to find information about the Declaration of Independence and information about the signers. Be sure to compare the terms inalienable and unalienable at: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/unalienable.htm. The Declaration of Independence uses the term “unalienable rights” while some earlier versions use the term “inalienable rights”.
To learn additional facts about the signers of the Declaration of Independence visit http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_signers_gallery.html
Naomi Allen
Reference and Government Documents Departments
