1. "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."

What does this mean? Why did Jefferson, one of the creators of our Declaration of Independence, place

these words into such a vital document? What comments does Gardner make about this portion of the

Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson penned U. S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was the time of American Revolution. The revolution started in 1765 and ended in 1783.

Explanation:

In the meeting of the Second Continental Congress in 1776, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, John Adams, and Robert Livingston, were asked to write the Declaration of Independence. This committee together decided that Jefferson should write the Declaration. After writing this document was given to Franklin for reviewing and proofing and passed after several minor changes in the Declaration.

The second paragraph of the Declaration starts with the given excerpt, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal ... "

The meaning of this Declaration is: Since Americans held closely to the views of Christianity, the Declaration was formed on the basis of its teaching as well. The teachings of Christianity states that men were created by God and created equally, so no men in the nation is a ruler of someone or subject to the ruler.

The purpose of Jefferson to include this in the declaration, in his words, was to express the shared beliefs of "American Mind". During colonial period, Americans were deeply religious and shared a common belief of "universal human equality." In the view of Jefferson, Government's purpose was not to serve the rulers but the people while protecting their equal rights.

John Gardner in his speech said, that what was proposed in 1776, came in being after 87 years, where women are also now given the rights to vote.