Add your name to the Declaration of Independence
PLUS an informative analysis of the documents literary prose

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For an usual gift for yourself, The National Archives gives you the chance to Join the Signers. It’s a document (this link for a color printer) that you can pick from three quill penmanship styles, and add your name to the Declaration of Independence to print and frame, or perhaps as a gift to a fellow patriot.

Visit this page for more fascinating details on the Declaration of Independence, including informative facts and history, as well as an article by Stephen E. Lucas on the Stylistic Artistry of it’s literary political prose. This is, in itself, the most worthy read.

Beginning excerpts to titillate you:

The Declaration of Independence is perhaps the most masterfully written state paper of Western civilization. As Moses Coit Tyler noted almost a century ago, no assessment of it can be complete without taking into account its extraordinary merits as a work of political prose style. Although many scholars have recognized those merits, there are surprisingly few sustained studies of the stylistic artistry of the Declaration. (1) This essay seeks to illuminate that artistry by probing the discourse microscopically–at the level of the sentence, phrase, word, and syllable. By approaching the Declaration in this way, we can shed light both on its literary qualities and on its rhetorical power as a work designed to convince a “candid world” that the American colonies were justified in seeking to establish themselves as an independent nation.(2)

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Great move, Mata.

America is exceptional in that it was blessed with this amazing document. It is arguably the greatest political document in the history of the world representing the pinnacle of Mankind’s political evolution.

Thank you, Dave. I thought it would make great “non-partisan” contribution to our “4th of July celebration”. This document is, afterall, is one that binds us all in our common quest for freedom from tyranny. Our differences lie in what we consider “tyranny”. And that is always a worthy debate. But every one of us owes our lives today to the 13 colonies who decided.. for a multitude of reasons – to officially declare our severance from England.

Did you read the analysis of the literary prose? I happen to have a weakness for those with the gift of “turn of phrase”. That is one enlighting piece of trivia about the times, and their linguistic use… not to be confused with clam linguini, of course…. LOL

Signed! Used the patriot penmanship, as I am a Patriot.

I signed again with the American pen

Years ago, when I was in High School, a group of friends traveled south to visit Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. Knotts has a replica Liberty Hall and I bought a Declaration of Independence. Years later, after taking many art courses and much prctice, I signed the Freedom Document in my own hand.

What a pleasure to once again add my signature to this wonderful document. I have, and would again, lay my life on the line for the freedoms so many have fought to protect over these many years. . . . Such a shame so many are so willing to throw it, and all those that made the supreme sacrifice, away. . . .

Under God, I pledge allegiance to the flag of these United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, with liberty, and justice for all.

Semper Fi, and Happy 4th of July!!!

That was VERY COOL! I signed!

Anyone else?

SCOTT MALENSEK

MATA
thank you for this POST,
great idea, and
for today is a great reminder to all AMERICANS
SUNDAY 6 TH 2011