Declaration of Independence

Explore 9 quotes about Declaration of Independence

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Abraham Lincoln

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Topic

Declaration of Independence American founding Equality

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Gettysburg Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1863 1860s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Gettysburg Address." At the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. 19 Nov. 1863, Gettysburg, PA, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "Address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

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.

Declaration of Independence

Read The Declaration of Independence at the National Archives website

More information about this quote

Topic

Declaration of Independence American politics

Source

Declaration of Independence

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

United States Declaration of Independence. 1776.

Current Citation

The National Archives. The Declaration of Independence: A Transcript. 24 July 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir... America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have a Dream

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Topic

Declaration of Independence US Constitution The Founders American founding Civil rights American politics

Speaker

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Source

I Have a Dream

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1963 1960s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

King, Martin Luther, Jr. "I Have a Dream." March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. 28 Aug. 1963, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC, USA.

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Declaration of Independence

Read The Declaration of Independence at the National Archives website

More information about this quote

Topic

Declaration of Independence American Revolution

Source

Declaration of Independence

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

United States Declaration of Independence. 1776.

Current Citation

The National Archives. The Declaration of Independence: A Transcript. 24 July 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

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Topic

Women's equality Equality Feminism Declaration of Independence

Speaker

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Medium

Speech

Language

English

Time

1848 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. "Declaration of Sentiments." Women's Rights Convention. 19 July 1848, Wesleyan Chapel, Seneca Falls, NY, USA.

Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

John Adams

Read this letter at the National Archives website

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Topic

Declaration of Independence

Author

John Adams

Source

Letters of John Adams

Medium

Letter

Statement Type

American Revolution

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Adams, John. Letter to Abigail Adams. 3 July 1776.

Current Citation

Adams, John. My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, edited by Margaret A. Hogan and C. James Taylor. Belknap Press, 2010.

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. 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 and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.

John Adams

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Topic

Declaration of Independence

Author

John Adams

Source

Letters of John Adams

Medium

Letter

Statement Type

Prophecies and predictions

Language

English

Time

1776 1770s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Adams, John. Letter to Abigail Adams. 3 July 1776.

Current Citation

Adams, John. My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, edited by Margaret A. Hogan and C. James Taylor. Belknap Press, 2010.

There is no reason in the world why the negro is not entitled to all the natural rights enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

More information about this quote

Topic

Declaration of Independence American Dream Equality Natural law

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Medium

Political debate

Language

English

Time

1858 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Debate with Stephen A. Douglas." 21 Aug. 1858, Ottawa, IL, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Ottawa, Illinois, August 21, 1858." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1832-1858, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 1989.

And even should the cloud of barbarism and despotism again obscure the science and liberties of Europe, this country remains to preserve and restore light and liberty to them. In short, the flames kindled on the fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them.

Thomas Jefferson

Letter to John Adams, 1821

More information about this quote

Topic

Declaration of Independence Spread of freedom and democracy

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Letter to John Adams, 1821 Letters of Thomas Jefferson

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1821 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to John Adams. 12 Sept. 1821.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "John Adams, Sept. 12, 1821." The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Adrienne Koch and William Peden. Modern Library, 1998.