(Episode 3) Our Sacred Honor: The Declaration of Independence
Now that we know a little more about George III, what's the next logical step? Breaking up with him.
We're betting that the last time you read this most famous break-up letter in history - i.e., the Declaration of Independence - was sometime in middle or high school, and you maybe had to memorize the second paragraph for extra credit in social studies (say it with us: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...").
This wasn't the first time the colonists had written down their list of beeves (yes, beeves - it's a word!) with George III. Rather, it was the culmination of years of having their repeated complaints and requests ignored.
There are plenty of reasons why this document is such an important and incredible text. In a world dominated by social media and by each person's ability to easily and instantly broadcast their every thought, it's hard to imagine why a simple letter could be such a big deal. But remember that the Founders' conduct in penning the Declaration was traitorous. And how were traitors to the Crown treated? In a word, atrociously. Signing their names to this document was the ultimate risk the Founders could take for themselves, their families, and their legacies.
In episode 3 of IYCKI, we talk about the sacrifices and risks taken by the Founders because of what they believed was a better way to govern. Give it a listen and see if you agree with us about how powerful words can be, and why those words matter.
Not-so-fun fact: the original recording of this episode was lost, so we had to re-record it. Second time's a charm, we hope.
Definitely-fun fact: Sam got Amanda to cry from patriotism - both in the original recording and in the re-record.
Here are some of the resources we used:
-For what happens to those convicted of high treason;
-For a sample of Thomas Jefferson's early writings that prepared him to pen the Declaration;
-For a rough draft of the Declaration (yes, there was a rough draft!);
-For more on the passage that was removed before the final draft.
We're betting that the last time you read this most famous break-up letter in history - i.e., the Declaration of Independence - was sometime in middle or high school, and you maybe had to memorize the second paragraph for extra credit in social studies (say it with us: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal...").
This wasn't the first time the colonists had written down their list of beeves (yes, beeves - it's a word!) with George III. Rather, it was the culmination of years of having their repeated complaints and requests ignored.
There are plenty of reasons why this document is such an important and incredible text. In a world dominated by social media and by each person's ability to easily and instantly broadcast their every thought, it's hard to imagine why a simple letter could be such a big deal. But remember that the Founders' conduct in penning the Declaration was traitorous. And how were traitors to the Crown treated? In a word, atrociously. Signing their names to this document was the ultimate risk the Founders could take for themselves, their families, and their legacies.
In episode 3 of IYCKI, we talk about the sacrifices and risks taken by the Founders because of what they believed was a better way to govern. Give it a listen and see if you agree with us about how powerful words can be, and why those words matter.
Not-so-fun fact: the original recording of this episode was lost, so we had to re-record it. Second time's a charm, we hope.
Definitely-fun fact: Sam got Amanda to cry from patriotism - both in the original recording and in the re-record.
Here are some of the resources we used:
-For what happens to those convicted of high treason;
-For a sample of Thomas Jefferson's early writings that prepared him to pen the Declaration;
-For a rough draft of the Declaration (yes, there was a rough draft!);
-For more on the passage that was removed before the final draft.
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