Happy Birthday America – 230 years old

July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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.
Click on 'Read More' for information on our Declaration of Independence.

Full text of the Declaration of Independence.

Signers of the Declaration, with links to information about each one.

Thomas Jefferson’s account of the Declaration.

John Hancock’s signature is the largest and most easily read on the document. From his short biography on the above site:

The dignity and character of John Hancock, celebrated by friend and enemy alike, did not suffer for his love of public attention. He was a populist in every sense, who held great confidence in the ability of the common man. He also displayed a pronounced contempt for unreasoned authority. A decree had been delivered from England in early 1776 offering a large reward for the capture of several leading figures. Hancock was one of them. On signing the Declaration he commented, "The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward."

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on July 4, 1826.

Buckeye Firearms is thankful for the brave men and women who gave birth to our country, the veterans who have served to insure we remain a free people, and for all who currently serve. There are some things worth fighting for. Freedom is surely one of them.

Happy 4th of July.