Full Transcript of the podcast and the Declaration of Independence:

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to English Classics. I amPatrick.

Today, we're diving into a cornerstone ofAmerican history: the Declaration of Independence. Signed in 1776, thisdocument was a bold statement by the thirteen American colonies that they werebreaking away from British rule to form a new nation. It's written in clear,powerful language that speaks about the rights of individuals to life, liberty,and the pursuit of happiness. It emphasizes that when a government fails toprotect its citizens, those citizens have the right to change or abolish thatgovernment. This document not only laid the groundwork for the United Statesbut also inspired movements for freedom around the world. Join us as we explorethe profound impact and enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence.

Today’s audio is read and performed by the hosts andreports from American National Public Radio Station.

This is morning edition from NPR morning news, on theFriday before Independence Day, we bring you the Declaration of Independence.

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The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen unitedStates of America

When in the Course of human events, itbecomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which haveconnected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, theseparate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's Godentitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that theyshould declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold thesetruths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they areendowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these areLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights,Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from theconsent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomesdestructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolishit, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principlesand organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely toeffect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate thatGovernments long established should not be changed for light and transientcauses; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are moredisposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves byabolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train ofabuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design toreduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, tothrow off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their futuresecurity.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such isnow the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems ofGovernment. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history ofrepeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object theestablishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, letFacts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refusedhis Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbiddenhis Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unlesssuspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when sosuspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refusedto pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unlessthose people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, aright inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has calledtogether legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant fromthe depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing theminto compliance with his measures.

He has dissolvedRepresentative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness hisinvasions on the rights of the people.

He has refusedfor a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected;whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to thePeople at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean timeexposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He hasendeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purposeobstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass othersto encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of newAppropriations of Lands.

He hasobstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws forestablishing Judiciary powers.

He has madeJudges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and theamount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected amultitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass ourpeople, and eat out their substance.

He has keptamong us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of ourlegislatures.

He has affectedto render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

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