false http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173413378m/285500.jpg 285500 9 The Declaration of Independence was the promise of a representative government; the Constitution was the fulfillment of that promise.<br><br>On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued a unanimous declaration: the thirteen North American colonies would be the thirteen United States of America, free and independent of Great Britain. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration set forth the terms of a new form of government with the following words: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."<br><br>Framed in 1787 and in effect since March 1789, the Constitution of the United States of America fulfilled the promise of the Declaration by establishing a republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, became part of the Constitution on December 15, 1791. Among the rights guaranteed by these amendments are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and the right to trial by jury. Written so that it could be adapted to endure for years to come, the Constitution has been amended only seventeen times since 1791 and has lasted longer than any other written form of government. With an introduction by Pauline Maier. 1694397 1996 The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States (Bantam Classic) total:198|5:152|4:23|3:13|2:7|1:3| 198 908 283 27 5 0 false false Mon Jan 19 20:11:16 -0800 2009 Mon Jan 19 20:11:16 -0800 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Tue Mar 24 13:00:51 -0700 2009 Tue Mar 24 13:53:06 -0700 2009
The ...more...]]> 5 0 false false Wed May 22 00:00:00 -0700 1985 Thu Feb 19 10:25:42 -0800 2009 Thu Feb 19 10:32:14 -0800 2009
Its worth reading. Try to find the place where certain classes of people are not protected. Go on, it's fun. Check those Beautiful Amendments out. How bout that - who do they apply to? ...more...]]> 5 1 false false Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Fri Jan 30 21:48:35 -0800 2009 Fri Jan 30 21:51:02 -0800 2009 1+ 3 0 false false Tue Sep 15 22:02:15 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 15 22:04:30 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 true false Tue Nov 24 20:12:28 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 24 20:15:38 -0800 2009 3 5 0 false false Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 -0800 2007 Fri Apr 11 20:18:31 -0700 2008 Fri Apr 11 20:31:51 -0700 2008 more...]]> 5 0 false false Fri Oct 30 23:37:18 -0700 2009 Sat Oct 31 05:39:55 -0700 2009
Also let me recommend, treasure, protect, and pray we keep them, unbroken.]]> 5 0 false false Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 11 17:21:29 -0700 2009 Fri Sep 11 17:22:28 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Tue Feb 03 06:38:47 -0800 2009 Tue Feb 03 06:39:28 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Sep 19 07:33:00 -0700 2009 Sat Sep 19 07:33:38 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sat Jan 17 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 17 02:42:20 -0800 2009 Sat Jan 17 02:42:20 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Fri May 01 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon May 11 12:47:52 -0700 2009 Mon May 25 11:59:05 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Sun May 10 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Mar 25 17:30:52 -0700 2009 Wed Jun 24 07:46:09 -0700 2009 more...]]> 5 0 false false Tue Nov 11 19:11:54 -0800 2008 Tue Nov 11 19:13:41 -0800 2008 more...]]> 3 0 false false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Sun Jun 17 05:57:17 -0700 2007 Sun Jun 17 05:59:55 -0700 2007 5 0 false false Mon Jun 30 19:45:11 -0700 2008 Mon Jun 30 19:46:37 -0700 2008 Flawed, perhaps.
But, not to put to fine a point on it, the greatest government charter ever written.]]> 4 0 false false Wed Sep 19 18:14:27 -0700 2007 Wed Sep 19 18:15:06 -0700 2007 4 0 false false Sat Feb 16 10:49:16 -0800 2008 Sat Feb 16 10:49:46 -0800 2008 5 0 false false Wed Jan 16 13:42:20 -0800 2008 Wed Jan 16 13:43:14 -0800 2008 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=285500