Actually, Suek, these are indeed some of the last sentences in the Declaration’s Preamble. The first paragraph in the document is called the Introduction, and the 2nd paragraph is the Preamble. The one I recite (for brevity and memory ability) is the Preamble to the Constitution.

I learned all kinds of interesting tidbits about the document’s prose, rhythm and language of the times from the Lucas article I linked to in my Add your name to the Declaration post. It’s a long read, but really fantastic.

But since you mention it, the language of the Declaration’s Preamble is knock your socks off stuff, and worthy of a repeat here in it’s entirety.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

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[...] And with that, I wish you all a Happy 4th of July. While watching those fireworks tonight don’t forget to start that new ritual, recite the preamble of the Constitution. [...]

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Not part of the preamble, but important nevertheless…

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

“right”
“duty”

Them’s big words. Should not be forgotten. Ever. Even if not applicable at any particular moment of history.

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[...] MataHarley recites the preamble to the Constitution (it’s much shorter than the one to the Declaration). [...]

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As a child of 1950s-60s education, we were required to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution… and to this day, I’ve never forgotten.

Niiiice….

As a child of the 70′s, this is the way we kinda-sorta-more-or-less memorized it:

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