Typo in the Declaration of Independence?

[Luddly Neddite]

Have We Been Reading the Declaration of Independence All Wrong? - The Wire

Here's some fun news for the Fourth of July: America might be reading an important passage of the Declaration of Independence all wrong. A scholar's argument that an authoritative transcription of the Declaration contains a period that isn't actually in the original document has convinced the National Archives to re-examine their presentation of the document. That's according to a well-timed New York Times story on the controversy, which could change how we read the passage beginning "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

First, let's pinpoint what's in question here. The official transcription from the National Archives reads (emphasis ours):

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.

See that period? According to Princeton professor Danielle Allen, it's not actually in the original document. If she's right, then the individual rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" would share a sentence with what follows:

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Allen, speaking to the Times, argues that Thomas Jefferson intended to emphasize the second part of this passage — the role of the government — equally with the individual rights in the first part. Instead, with the period in place, there's an implied hierarchy. So you can begin to see how one little punctuation mark's presence or absence could become the subject of heated debate among those who have strong opinions about the role of government as it concerns individual liberty. Although the punctuation mark is still very much up for debate among experts, Allen has convinced several scholars that she might be on to something. The National Archives told the Times that they "want to take advantage of this possible new discovery" and find a way to re-examine the incredibly fragile original Declaration of Independence.

More at the link.

 

[regent]

Have We Been Reading the Declaration of Independence All Wrong? - The Wire

Here's some fun news for the Fourth of July: America might be reading an important passage of the Declaration of Independence all wrong. A scholar's argument that an authoritative transcription of the Declaration contains a period that isn't actually in the original document has convinced the National Archives to re-examine their presentation of the document. That's according to a well-timed New York Times story on the controversy, which could change how we read the passage beginning "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

First, let's pinpoint what's in question here. The official transcription from the National Archives reads (emphasis ours):

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.

See that period? According to Princeton professor Danielle Allen, it's not actually in the original document. If she's right, then the individual rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" would share a sentence with what follows:

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Allen, speaking to the Times, argues that Thomas Jefferson intended to emphasize the second part of this passage — the role of the government — equally with the individual rights in the first part. Instead, with the period in place, there's an implied hierarchy. So you can begin to see how one little punctuation mark's presence or absence could become the subject of heated debate among those who have strong opinions about the role of government as it concerns individual liberty. Although the punctuation mark is still very much up for debate among experts, Allen has convinced several scholars that she might be on to something. The National Archives told the Times that they "want to take advantage of this possible new discovery" and find a way to re-examine the incredibly fragile original Declaration of Independence.

More at the link.

That document was worked over a few times and alterations made. In fact, I remember reading that the original document was lost at the printers. Punctuation was not the best at that time and mistakes were made. The signers were somewhat of a jumble also. Anyway we get the idea Jefferson had in mind, or do we? For example, why did Jefferson put in pursuit of happiness instead of the usual property?

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Can't remember if this article talks about Jefferson's notes in which he used a semicolon. That would change the whole meaning of the phrases.

I think its fascinating.

 

[Mr. H.]

I'd rather not look at a period, thank you.

 

[Stephanie]

oh well who didn't we see this coming on independence day

any little thing they can find to take our FREEDOMS away

fall for it at your own peril

 

[Mr. H.]

oh well who didn't we see this coming on independence day

any little thing they can find to take our FREEDOMS away

fall for it at your own peril

Before Obama's reign is complete, I have a feeling we'll all fall on the sword of Independence.

 

[Stephanie]

oh well who didn't we see this coming on independence day

any little thing they can find to take our FREEDOMS away

fall for it at your own peril

Before Obama's reign is complete, I have a feeling we'll all fall on the sword of Independence.

oh I see it coming
they will claim success and toast each other

 

[Pogo]

I'd rather not look at a period, thank you.

You're usually in a comma by this time of night arentcha?

Actually the presence of the relative pronoun that at the beginning of both of those passages would already connect them, period or no period. That pronoun can only refer to the subject/verb in the lead sentence, "we hold".

 

[Faun]

oh well who didn't we see this coming on independence day

any little thing they can find to take our FREEDOMS away

fall for it at your own peril

Before Obama's reign is complete, I have a feeling we'll all fall on the sword of Independence.

oh I see it coming
they will claim success and toast each other

"Let's roll," Steph!

(note: that's a comma, not a period, as to not alter the meaning)

 

[Mr. H.]

Before Obama's reign is complete, I have a feeling we'll all fall on the sword of Independence.

oh I see it coming
they will claim success and toast each other

"Let's roll," Steph!

(note: that's a comma, not a period, as to not alter the meaning)

Exactly whom or what are you mocking here?

 

[Mr. H.]

I'd rather not look at a period, thank you.

You're usually in a comma by this time of night arentcha?

Actually the presence of the relative pronoun that at the beginning of both of those passages would already connect them, period or no period. That pronoun can only refer to the subject/verb in the lead sentence, "we hold".

God damn ain't grammar great.

 

[norwegen]

Al Gore hadn't invented SpellCheck yet.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Have We Been Reading the Declaration of Independence All Wrong? - The Wire

Here's some fun news for the Fourth of July: America might be reading an important passage of the Declaration of Independence all wrong. A scholar's argument that an authoritative transcription of the Declaration contains a period that isn't actually in the original document has convinced the National Archives to re-examine their presentation of the document. That's according to a well-timed New York Times story on the controversy, which could change how we read the passage beginning "We hold these truths to be self-evident."

First, let's pinpoint what's in question here. The official transcription from the National Archives reads (emphasis ours):

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.

See that period? According to Princeton professor Danielle Allen, it's not actually in the original document. If she's right, then the individual rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" would share a sentence with what follows:

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Allen, speaking to the Times, argues that Thomas Jefferson intended to emphasize the second part of this passage — the role of the government — equally with the individual rights in the first part. Instead, with the period in place, there's an implied hierarchy. So you can begin to see how one little punctuation mark's presence or absence could become the subject of heated debate among those who have strong opinions about the role of government as it concerns individual liberty. Although the punctuation mark is still very much up for debate among experts, Allen has convinced several scholars that she might be on to something. The National Archives told the Times that they "want to take advantage of this possible new discovery" and find a way to re-examine the incredibly fragile original Declaration of Independence.

More at the link.

Wait a minute.

You posted a picture of the period, and then argue it isn't there? How the fuck does that make sense?

That said, why would it change the meaning. Most intelligent people think Jefferson's emphasis was on the role of government in defending the unalienable rights of everyone. The reason intelligent people think that is that the Crown argued that by moving to America, everyone agreed to a new social contract that required them to alienate themselves of those rights.

3. “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.” The most famous line of the Declaration. On the one hand, this will become a great embarrassment to a people who permitted slavery. On the other hand making public claims like this has consequences—that’s why people make them publicly. To be held for account. And this promise will provide the heart of the abolitionists case in the Nineteenth Century, which is why late defenders of slavery eventually came to reject the Declaration.
What are “unalienable,” or more commonly, “inalienable rights”? Inalienable rights are those you cannot give up even if you want to and consent. Unlike other alienable rights that you can consent to transfer or waive. Why inalienable rights? The Founders want to counter England’s claim that by accepting the colonial governance, the colonists had alienated their rights. The Framers claimed that with inalienable rights, you always retain the ability to take back any right that has been given up.

The Declaration of Independence annotated - The Washington Post

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Can't remember if this article talks about Jefferson's notes in which he used a semicolon. That would change the whole meaning of the phrases.

I think its fascinating.

Only to idiots that never went to school and studied history.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Can't remember if this article talks about Jefferson's notes in which he used a semicolon. That would change the whole meaning of the phrases.

I think its fascinating.

Only to idiots that never went to school and studied history.

Which history?

Texasss says Jefferson didn't contribute enough to be included in American History text books. You mean THAT history?

Why are some so terribly threatened by this discovery? Maybe for the same reason they're scared of this?

35 Founding Father Quotes Conservative Christians Will Hate |

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Another interesting bit of history -

https://www.facebook.com/amightygir...6489315054055/702729059763410/?type=1&fref=nf

A Mighty Girl

In celebration of Independence Day, we remember a little known hero of the American Revolutionary War, 16-year-old Sybil Ludington. At approximately 9 pm on April 26th, 1777, Sybil, the eldest daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, climbed onto her horse and proceeded to ride 40 miles in order to muster local militia troops in response to a British attack on the town of Danbury, Connecticut -- covering twice the distance that Paul Revere rode during his famous midnight ride.

Riding all night through rain, Sybil returned home at dawn having given nearly the whole regiment of 400 Colonial troops the order to assemble. While the regiment could not save Danbury from being burned, they joined forces with the Continental Army following the subsequent Battle of Ridgefield and were able to stop the British advance and force their return to their boats.

Following the battle, General George Washington personally thanked Sybil for her service and bravery. Although every American school child knows the story of Paul Revere, unfortunately few are taught about Sybil Ludington's courageous feat and her contribution to war effort.

To introduce your children to this inspiring and underrecognized hero of the Revolutionary War, we recommend "Sybil’s Night Ride," a picture book for children 4 to 8 (Sybil's Night Ride | A Mighty Girl) and "Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride," an early chapter book for readers 6 to 9 (Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride | A Mighty Girl). An illustration from the latter by Ellen Beier is pictured here.

More at the link.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Can't remember if this article talks about Jefferson's notes in which he used a semicolon. That would change the whole meaning of the phrases.

I think its fascinating.

Only to idiots that never went to school and studied history.

Which history?

Texasss says Jefferson didn't contribute enough to be included in American History text books. You mean THAT history?

Why are some so terribly threatened by this discovery? Maybe for the same reason they're scared of this?

35 Founding Father Quotes Conservative Christians Will Hate |

How many times do I have to tell you that government sucks? Do you think you posting links that prove me right is going to upset me?

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Another interesting bit of history -

https://www.facebook.com/amightygir...6489315054055/702729059763410/?type=1&fref=nf

A Mighty Girl

In celebration of Independence Day, we remember a little known hero of the American Revolutionary War, 16-year-old Sybil Ludington. At approximately 9 pm on April 26th, 1777, Sybil, the eldest daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, climbed onto her horse and proceeded to ride 40 miles in order to muster local militia troops in response to a British attack on the town of Danbury, Connecticut -- covering twice the distance that Paul Revere rode during his famous midnight ride.

Riding all night through rain, Sybil returned home at dawn having given nearly the whole regiment of 400 Colonial troops the order to assemble. While the regiment could not save Danbury from being burned, they joined forces with the Continental Army following the subsequent Battle of Ridgefield and were able to stop the British advance and force their return to their boats.

Following the battle, General George Washington personally thanked Sybil for her service and bravery. Although every American school child knows the story of Paul Revere, unfortunately few are taught about Sybil Ludington's courageous feat and her contribution to war effort.

To introduce your children to this inspiring and underrecognized hero of the Revolutionary War, we recommend "Sybil’s Night Ride," a picture book for children 4 to 8 (Sybil's Night Ride | A Mighty Girl) and "Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride," an early chapter book for readers 6 to 9 (Sybil Ludington's Midnight Ride | A Mighty Girl). An illustration from the latter by Ellen Beier is pictured here.

More at the link.

Wow, what a surprise, government run schools don't tell us about the contributions of women to the battle for freedom from tyranny.

Again, is proving me right about government being totally incapable of doing anything right supposed to upset me?

 

[TemplarKormac]

"In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example . . . of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness." – James Madison, Essays for the National Gazette, 1792

 

[TemplarKormac]

"History, in general, only informs us what bad government is."

Thomas Jefferson: Letter to John Norvell, June 14, 1807