We (Still Need to) Hold These Truths
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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United States Declaration of Independence
12 min read
The article directly quotes and discusses the Declaration of Independence. Understanding its full drafting history, philosophical influences, and contested interpretations enriches the reader's grasp of the 'truths' being referenced.
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Natural rights and legal rights
13 min read
The article references 'unalienable Rights' endowed by a Creator—a concept rooted in natural rights philosophy. This Wikipedia article explains the Enlightenment theories of Locke and others that directly shaped Jefferson's language.
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Committee of Five
10 min read
The article mentions Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams as authors. The Committee of Five was the group appointed to draft the Declaration, and understanding their collaboration, debates, and individual contributions provides valuable historical context.
We (Still Need to) Hold These Truths
To open the most dissident of all American official documents, the US Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and others, chose these words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [humans] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Li…
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