Free
In the summer of 1776, members of the Second Continental Congress gave Thomas Jefferson a big job.
He was to tell the world why the American colonies wanted to break free from Britain. He did just that. He also said what the new country would stand for. His bold and beautiful words have rung out through the centuries. They’ve made countries on every continent want their own independence. They’ve also given courage to Americans at home. African Americans and women have been inspired by its words about liberty and equality. They’ve used these in their fight to end slavery and gain equal rights for all Americans.
