The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence set forth the principles for America by British Americans, led by Thomas Jefferson, John Adam, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin.This document formed the foundation of all that followed in American life, from the Constitution and Bill of Rights, to The Emancipation Proclamation and The Gettysburg Address. Its principle that all men are created equal served as the foundation of broadening all rights from Blacks during the Civil War to women with right to vote in the early 20th century, to people of all races, creeds, and colors. The concept of the pursuit of happiness meant all Americans had the right to be left alone as much as possible, as epitomized by the great jurist William Douglas, "The ultimate right is the right to be left alone" to Henry David Thoreau who practiced that in his own life.