The Declaration Of Independence, Read Aloud

From NPR's Morning Edition:

Twenty-two years ago, Morning Edition launched what has become an Independence Day tradition: hosts, reporters, newscasters and commentators reading the Declaration of Independence.

It was 234 years ago this Sunday that church bells rang out over Philadelphia, as the Continental Congress adopted Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Listen to it read by professionals here.

Okay, I have to admit that this is pretty cool.

I listened to it at least twice yesterday, and, while having such good speakers "speak the speech," as it were, is very nice indeed, I was reminded of how pure a statement of American principles the Declaration is, especially when compared to the messy compromises and counterbalances of the Constitution. That is, the Constitution is a document legally mandating how the country should function from day to day: the Declaration of Independence is a document of American identity.

It is also worth noting that the men who signed it took their lives in their own hands by legally declaring themselves to be committing treason against the throne. They, like all good Americans, were willing to die for their principles.

Happy Independence Day! The Wikipedia article on the Declaration, which includes its full text, can be found here. Go check it out while you listen to the reading.

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