Our American friends are celebrating today the 240th anniversary of their declaration of independence. A little wink then the day of their national holiday.

1. Independence Day of the United States of America.
Our Americanfriendsare celebratingtodaythe 240th anniversaryof theirdeclarationof independence.
A little winkthenthe dayof theirnational holiday.Noflyingsaucershere,nogoodguys(orbad guys).
On July4, 1776, 56 deputiesrepresentingthe 13 Americancoloniessignedthe Declarationof
Independence bywhichthesecoloniessecede fromthe Britishcrown.
It was a majoreventinthe AmericanWar of Independence (1775-1783).
While Virginalreadyhadadeclarationof rightsonJune 12, 1776, the SecondContinental Congress,
composedof delegatesfromthe thirteencoloniesgatheredinPhiladelphia,decidedtodrafta
Declarationof Independence.
The projectis entrustedtoa committee of five representatives(the Committeeof Five) composedof
JohnAdams,RogerSherman,BenjaminFranklin,RobertLivingstonandThomasJefferson.
But it isThomasJeffersonwhoisthe maineditorof the text,withBenjaminFranklin.
Jeffersonfinisheshisprojecton June 21, 1776 and submitsittothe committee of five whomakessome
changes.
The statementisfurtheramendedduringthe Congressdebates:the passagesontraffickingandslavery
are deleted,soasnot to discontentthe southernregions.
The final document,writtenonparchment,isapprovedandsignedonJuly4 by56 delegatesgatheredat
Independence Hall.
These 56 deputiesare:CongressPresident1JohnHancock (Massachusetts);New Hampshire - 2 Josiah
Bartlett,3 WilliamWhipple,4MatthewThornton,Massachusetts - 5 Samuel Adams,6 JohnAdams,7
RobertTreat Paine,8 Elbridge Gerry,Rhode Island - 9 StephenHopkins,10WilliamElleryConnecticut -
11 Roger Sherman12 Samuel Huntington,13 WilliamWilliams,14OliverWolcott,New York - 15 William
Floyd, 16 PhilippLivingston,17FrancisLewis,18 LewisMorris,New Jersey - 19 RichardStockton,20 John
Witherspoon,21FrancisHopkinson,22 JohnHart , 23 AbrahamClark,Pennsylvania- 24RobertMorris,
25 BenjaminRush,26 BenjaminFranklin,27 JohnMorton, 28 George Clymer,29 JamesSmith,30 George
Taylor,31 JamesWilson,32 George Ross,Delaware - 33 Caesar Rodney,34 George Read,35 Thomas
McKean , Maryland - 36 Samuel Chase,37 WilliamPace,38 ThomasStone,39 CharlesCarroll of
Carrollton,Virginia- 40 George Wythe,41 Richard HenryLee,42 ThomasJefferson,43Benjamin
HarrisonV, 44 ThomasNelsonJunior,45Francis LightfootLee ,46 Carter Braxton,NorthCarolina - 47
WilliamHooper,48 JosephHews,49 JohnPenn,SouthCarolina - 50 EdwardRutledge,51Thomas
HeywardJar, 52 ThomasLynch Jar, 53 ArthurMiddleton,Georgia- 54GwinnettButton,55 Lyman Hall,
56 George Walton. For otherdetailsaboutthe nationyoucan visit http://independenceusa.net/.

2. Veryinspiredbythe spiritof the FrenchEnlightenment,the Declarationof Independence putsthe idea
of Libertyatthe center:The ideasof Enlightenmentphilosopherssuchasthose of JohnLocke are
implemented.Itisnolongera matterof the collective freedomsof previouseras,butof individual
freedomsthatare proclaimedloudandclear.The Declarationistherefore auniversaltext,whichposits
as a principle:“All menare createdequal “.Principle thatwe willfindof course inourDeclarationof the
Rightsof Man and Citizenof 1789.
Many historiansof the time andevencontemporaryhistorianshave alsoseenbehindthisstatementthe
puttingintopractice,andin light,Masonicideals.
Of course,mostof the Americanfathersof Independence are Freemasons,startingwithGeorge
Washingtonhimself orBenjaminFranklin.
The interventionof the brothersisdecisiveinthe War of Independence.
At the Battle of Yorktown - whichsawthe final defeatof the English - October19, 1781, no lessthan
11,000 Frenchtake part inthe fightinginadditiontothe 9000 volunteersof Washington?
These Frenchmenare commandedbythe Marquisde la Rogueries,the Marquisde La Fayette, and the
Countde Rochambeau,all Freemasons,andalarge majorityof theirofficers.
But whatabout ThomasJefferson?HismembershipinFreemasonrywasoftenclaimed...Itseems -
accordingto the latestresearch - that itis not.CertainlyJeffersonwassurroundedbyFreemasons.His
son-in-lawandGovernorof Virginia,ThomasM.Randolph,hisfavorite grandson,ThomasJefferson
Randolph,andhisnephewsPeterandSamuel Carrwere all membersof the Albemarle's“DoortoVirtue
“lodge No.44 CountyinVirginia.

3. Many Freemasonslike ThomasPaine,Voltaire,Lafayette,orJeanHoudonwere hisclosest
correspondentsinEurope.
He alsoadmiredmanyAmericanFreemasonsGeorge Washington,BenjaminFranklin,BenjaminRush,
JohnPaul Jones,JamesMadison,JamesMonroe,MeriwetherLewisorWilliamClark.
Jeffersonparceledout,atthe requestof Dr. JosephGuillotine,informal meetingsof the Lodge of the
Nine SistersinParis.He alsoparticipatedinaMasonic processionof “Widow’sSonLodge “No.60 and
“CharlottesvilleLodge “No.90 on October6, 1817. The Grand Lodge of SouthCarolinadeliveredaprayer
at hisfuneral onthe 4th. July1826. In the enda VirginiaLodge wascreatedin1801 underthe name of
“JeffersonLodge “No.65.
Nearthe masonsyes,but itseemsthathe neverbelongedtothe Order.
ThomasJeffersonhimself translatedintoFrenchthe Declarationof Independence.Here ishistext:
“When inthe course of humanevents,itbecomesnecessaryforone people todissolvethe political ties
that have attachedto anotherand to take,amongthe powersof the Earth, the separate and equal place
to whichthe lawsof nature andof the God of nature give himthe right,the respectdue to the opinion
of humanityobligestodeclare the causeswhichdetermineittoseparation.
We holdforself-evidentthe followingtruths:all menare createdequal;theyare endowedbythe
Creatorwithcertaininalienable rights;amongthese rightsare life,libertyandthe searchfor happiness.
Governmentsare establishedamongmentoguarantee these rights,andtheirjustpowercomesfrom
the consentof the governed.Wheneveraformof governmentbecomesdestructiveof thispurpose,the
people have the righttochange or abolishitand to establishanew government,basingitonthe
principles andorganizingitinthe formwhichwill appeartohimthe most suitable togive himsafetyand
happiness.Prudence teaches,indeed,thatlong-establishedgovernmentsshouldnotbe changedfor
lightandtransientcauses,andThe experienceof all timeshas shownthatmenare more inclinedto
tolerate endurableevilsthantodojustice tothemselvesbyabolishingthe formstowhichtheyare
accustomed.Butwhena longseriesof abusesandusurpations,invariablytendingtothe same end,
mark the designof subjectingthemtoabsolute despotism, itistheirrightandtheirdutyto rejectsucha
governmentandtoprovide,bynewsafeguards,totheirfuture security.Suchwasthe patience of these
Colonies,andsuchisthe necessitytodaythatforcesthemtochange theiroldsystemsof government.
The story of the currentKingof Great Britainisthe storyof a seriesof repeatedinjusticesand
usurpations,all of whichwere aimeddirectlyatthe establishmentof absolutetyrannyoverthese states.
To prove it,letus submitthe factsto the impartial world:He refusedhissanctiontothe mostsalutary
and mostnecessary lawsforthe publicgood.He defendedhisgovernorsfromconsentingtolawsof
immediate andurgentimportance,unlesstheirbringingintoforce wassuspendeduntil hissanctionwas
obtained,andthe lawssosuspended;he absolutelyneglectedtopayattention.
He has refusedtosanctionotherlawsforthe organizationof large districts,unlessthe people of these
districtsgive upthe rightto be representedinthe legislature,aninvaluablerightfora people,whichis
onlyformidable totyrants.

4. He convenedLegislative Assembliesinplacesunusual,inconvenientanddistantfromthe depositsof
theirpublicregisters,forthe sole purposeof obtainingfromthem, byfatigue,theiradherencetohis
measures.Atvarioustimes,he dissolvedHousesof Representativesbecause theystubbornlyopposed
hisencroachmentsonthe rightsof the people.Afterthese dissolutions,he refusedforalongtime to
electotherHousesof Representatives,andthe legislativepower,whichisnotsusceptible of
annihilation,thusreturnedtothe whole peopletobe exercisedbyhim, the State remaining,inthe
meantime,exposedtoall the dangersof invasionsfromwithoutandconvulsionswithin.
He soughtto impede the growthof the populationof these states.Forthispurpose he hasimpededthe
executionof the lawsforthe naturalizationof foreigners;he refusedtoreturnotherstoencourage their
emigrationtothese countries,andhe raisedthe conditionsfornew landacquisitions.Ithashindered
the administrationof justice byrefusingitssanctiontolawsforthe establishmentof judicial powers.He
has renderedthe judgesdependentonhiswill alone,forthe durationof theirservicesandforthe rate
and paymentof theirsalaries.
He createda multitude of jobsandsentswarmsof new employeestothiscountrytovex our people and
devourtheirsubstance.He hasmaintainedamongus,intimesof peace,standingarmieswithoutthe
consentof our legislatures.Ithasaffectedtomake the militarypowerindependentof the civil authority
and evensuperiortoit.He coalescedwithotherstosubmitto a jurisdictionforeigntoourConstitutions
and notrecognizedbyourlaws,by sanctioningactsof so-calledlegislationaimedat:placinglarge bodies
of armedtroops;to protectthemby an illusoryprocedureagainstthe punishmentof the murderswhich
theywouldhave committedonthe personof the inhabitantsof these provinces;todestroyourtrade
withall parts of the world;to impose taxesonuswithoutourconsent;to deprive usinmanycasesof
the benefitof the juryprocess;totransportus beyondthe seasto be judgedbyallegedoffenses;to
abolishina neighboringprovince the liberalsystemof Englishlaws,toestablishanarbitrary
government,andtosetback itslimits,soas to make at once of thisprovince anexample andan
instrumentof introducingthe same absolute governmentintothese Colonies;towithdraw ourcharters,
to abolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto alterintheiressence the formsof ourgovernments;to
suspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare ourselvesinvestedwiththe powertomake lawsbindingon
us inany case whatsoever.todeprive usinmanycasesof the benefitof the juryprocess;totransport us
beyondthe seastobe judgedbyallegedoffenses;toabolishinaneighboringprovince the liberal system
of Englishlaws,toestablishanarbitrarygovernment,andtosetback itslimits,soas to make at once of
thisprovince anexample andaninstrumentof introducingthe same absolutegovernmentintothese
Colonies;towithdrawourcharters,toabolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto alterintheiressence the
formsof our governments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare ourselvesinvestedwiththe
powerto make lawsbindingonusinany case whatsoever.todeprive usinmanycasesof the benefitof
the jury process;totransport usbeyondthe seasto be judgedbyallegedoffenses;toabolishina
neighboringprovince the liberal systemof Englishlaws,toestablishanarbitrarygovernment,andtoset
back itslimits,soas to make at once of thisprovince an example andaninstrumentof introducingthe
same absolute governmentintothese Colonies;towithdraw ourcharters,to abolishourmostprecious
laws,andto alterin theiressence the formsof ourgovernments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandto
declare ourselvesinvestedwiththe powertomake lawsbindingonusinanycase whatsoever.to

5. transportus beyondthe seasto be judgedbyallegedoffenses;toabolishinaneighboringprovincethe
liberal systemof Englishlaws,toestablishanarbitrarygovernment,andtosetback itslimits,soas to
make at once of thisprovince anexample andaninstrumentof introducingthe same absolute
governmentintothese Colonies;towithdraw ourcharters,to abolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto
alterintheiressence the formsof our governments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare
ourselvesinvestedwiththe powertomake lawsbindingonusinany case whatsoever.totransportus
beyondthe seastobe judgedbyallegedoffenses;toabolishinaneighboringprovince the liberal system
of Englishlaws,toestablishanarbitrarygovernment,andtosetback itslimits,soas to make at once of
thisprovince anexample andaninstrumentof introducingthe same absolutegovernmentintothese
Colonies;towithdrawourcharters,toabolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto alterintheiressence the
formsof our governments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare ourselvesinvestedwiththe
powerto make lawsbindingonusinany case whatsoever.inordertomake at once of thisprovince an
example andaninstrumentpropertointroduce the same absolute governmentintotheseColonies;to
withdrawourcharters,to abolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto alterintheiressence the formsof our
governments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare ourselvesinvestedwiththe powerto
make lawsbindingonusin anycase whatsoever.inordertomake at once of thisprovince anexample
and an instrumentpropertointroduce the same absolute governmentintotheseColonies;towithdraw
our charters,to abolishourmostpreciouslaws,andto alterintheiressence the formsof our
governments;tosuspendourownlegislaturesandtodeclare ourselvesinvestedwiththe powerto
make lawsbindingonusin anycase whatsoever.
He abdicatedthe governmentof ourcountry,declaringusout of hisprotectionandmakingwar onus.
He plunderedourseas,ravagedourcoasts,burnedourcitiesandslaughteredourfellow citizens.Atthis
verymoment,he iscarryinggreat armiesof foreignmercenariestoaccomplishthe workof death,
desolation,andtyrannythathasbeencommencedwithcircumstancesof crueltyandperfidythatwould

6. be hard to findincenturiespast.More barbarous,and whoare quite unworthyof the headof a civilized
nation.He has excitedamongusthe domesticinsurrection,andhe hassoughtto draw upon the
inhabitantsof ourfrontiersthe Indians,those ruthlesssavages,whosewell-knownmannerof making
war isto massacre everything,regardlessof age,sex orcondition.Throughoutthe course of these
oppressions,we have askedforjustice inthe mosthumble terms;ourrepeatedpetitionshave been
answeredonlywithrepeatedinjustices.A prince whosecharacterisso markedbyactionsthat may
signal a tyrantis unfittogoverna free people.
Neitherhave we beendisrespectful toourbrethreninBritain.We have,fromtime totime,informed
themof the attemptsmade bytheirlegislature toextendtousan unjustjurisdiction.We have reminded
themof the circumstancesof ouremigrationandestablishmentinthese countries.We appealedtotheir
justice andtheirnatural magnanimity,andwe conjuredthem, inthe name of the bondsof a common
origin,todisavowthese usurpationswhichwere inevitablytointerruptourliaisonandourgood
relations.Theytoowere deaf tothe voice of reasonand consanguinity.We musttherefore surrenderto
the necessitythatcommandsourseparationandlookat them, as well asthe restof humanity,as
enemiesinwarandfriendsinpeace.
Accordingly,we,the representativesof the UnitedStatesof America,assembledinGeneral Congress,
takingto witnessthe supreme Judgeof the universeof the righteousnessof ourintentions,solemnly
publishanddeclare inthe name andby the authorityof the good people of these Colonies,thatthese
UnitedColoniesare andhave the rightto be free and independentStates;thattheyare free fromall
obedience tothe Crownof Great Britain;thatany political connectionbetweenthemandthe State of
Great Britainisand mustbe entirelydissolved;that,like freeandindependentStates,theyhave full
authoritytowage war, to conclude peace,toformalliances,toregulate commerce andtodoall other
acts or thingswhichindependentstatesare entitledtodo;and full of
As forBrotherBenjaminFranklin,he holdsaveryspecial place inthe historyof the UnitedStatesof
Americaandof Freemasonry.
Initiatedin1731 inthe Saint JohnLodge whoworkedwithpatentsfromScotlandandlaterjoinedthe
Grand Lodge of Ancients,he willalsobe VenerableMasterof the Lodge of the SistersNuns,inParis
between1779 and 1781. Underhisleadershiplearnedsocietieswill be createdasthe Apollonian
society, future SocietyMuseumof Paris.Itiswiththe arm of FranklinthatVoltaire entersthe temple to
be initiatedFreemasonApril7,1778, a few weeksbeforehisdeath(May30).
Benjamin Franklinalsohasaspecial place amongthose Americanscall “FoundingFathers",the founding
fathersof the UnitedStates,namelythe 56 signatoriesof the Declarationof Independence andthe 39
signatoriesof the Constitution.
IndeedBenjaminFranklin isthe onlyfoundingfatherstosignthe three lawsof the UnitedStatesof
America,the Declarationof Independence (1776),the Treatyof Paris(1783) and the Constitution(1787).
Declarationof Independencewillbe completedseveral yearslaterbya Declarationof Rights(United
StatesBill of Rights).

7. ThisBill of Rightsdesignatesthe firsttenamendmentstothe USConstitution.Itlimitsthe powersof the
federal governmentandgivesrightssuchasfreedomof the press,speech,religion,assembly,and
carryingweapons.
It was adoptedbythe CongressonSeptember26,1789, andcame intoeffectonDecember15, 1791,
afterthe ratificationof 3/4 of the FederatedStates.