This is the fifth in a series.
On June 11, 1776, a committee of five was appointed by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to prepare a Declaration of Independence to be used if and when the Congress voted in favor of breaking with England. The big three on the committee were John Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
Today the words have almost sacred meaning. How did they come about? Benjamin Franklin wrote to George Washington on June 21, describing his role and the writing.
“I am just recovering from a severe fit of the gout, which has kept me from Congress and company almost ever since you…
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