Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. His statement, “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” is one of the most famous and influential lines in American history. In this article, we will explore the context and significance of this statement and why Jefferson chose to conclude the Declaration of Independence with it.

The Declaration of Independence was a document drafted by Jefferson and other members of the Continental Congress in 1776 to declare the colonies’ independence from Great Britain. It was a formal statement of the colonies’ grievances against the British monarchy and an explanation of the colonies’ right to secede from the British Empire.

The statement, “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” is the opening line of the Declaration’s second paragraph, which is known as the “Preamble.” This paragraph is a summary of the document’s main arguments and themes, and it serves as an introduction to the list of specific grievances against the British monarchy that follows.

Jefferson chose to conclude the Declaration with this statement because it captures the fundamental principles and values upon which the document is based. It asserts that all men are created equal and are entitled to certain inalienable rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These principles were inspired by Enlightenment-era philosophers such as John Locke, who argued that individuals have natural rights that are inherent and cannot be taken away by governments or other authorities.

The inclusion of this statement in the Declaration of Independence was groundbreaking and highly influential. It inspired other revolutions and movements for independence and democracy around the world, and it continues to be a key principle of American democracy today.

In conclusion, Thomas Jefferson included the statement “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” in the Declaration of Independence to capture the fundamental principles and values upon which the document is based. This statement has had a lasting impact and continues to be a key principle of American democracy.