July 2018 Soto’s Chronicles
DeDe Soto
Protecting your most valuable asset — your family
FROM THE DESK OF DeDe Soto
Every American knows that the Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 — it’s also called Independence Day, after all. The story behind the document, however, gets less attention than it deserves. It’s a fascinating tale, culminating with the birth of the United States of America as we know it. WE HOLDTHESE TRUTHS TOBE SELF-EVIDENT T he S tory of the D eclaration of I ndependence Even after the early battles of the American Revolution, which began in earnest during April of 1775, it was unclear what shape the rebellion would take. At that point, independence was still far from certain. As the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia in May of that year, two groups formed around polar opinions. “The fundamental issue between them was were they fighting for their rights as Englishmen within the British Empire, or were they going to fight for independence?” says historian Richard Slotkin. It was not an easy choice, and both sides held passionate opinions. As the calendar changed to 1776, those in favor of breaking from King George III began to gain momentum. The growth of the revolutionary movement had a number of causes, but two in particular stand out. In late 1775, King George III spoke to Parliament with the goal of enlarging the Royal Army and Navy to quash the rebellion. He went so far as to solicit help from foreign mercenaries. Word of this decision reached the colonies in January 1776, making reconciliation seem less likely than ever before. During the same month, Thomas Paine published his famous pamphlet “Common Sense,” which advocated for outright independence. “The custom of all Courts is against us, and will be so, until by an independence we take rank with other nations,” Paine wrote. “Common THE ROAD TO DECLARATION
Summer is here, and I hope you are ready to enjoy the summer fun! With lots of outdoor activities, I hope you are able to get some work done! We are as busy as ever making sure people have the correct documents in place, not just for death, but for life and all the unexpected situations that can happen. It’s so important to make sure your wishes are carried out correctly. Make sure to visit our website at TheSotoLawGroup.com for our educational workshops. Of course, if you have questions, we like to be your resource. Until next time, hope you make lots of summer memories and stay healthy!
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