A Declaration of Interdependence for Young Children, Parents, Caregivers, and Educators
In 1776, 56 men in the American colonies signed their names to a radical document called the Declaration of Independence. As a result they were, without trial, proclaimed traitors by the British government and sentenced to death. These were middle class people. John Hancock was the wealthiest among them and he was not even a millionaire by today's standards. The wealthy sided with the king. Most of the signers were working people -- farmers and tradesmen primarily. None of them left behind a family fortune, or a foundation, or any other kind of financial memorial of their lives. The United States is their legacy.
Their average age was 33 (Thomas Jefferson's age at the time). The youngest was only 20-years-old. The oldest was Benjamin Franklin, who was 83.
As a result of having signed the Declaration of Independence, all 56 of the signers were forced to flee their homes. Twelve returned to find only rubble.
As a result of having signed the Declaration of Independence, 17 of them were wiped out financially by the British government.
As a result of having signed the Declaration of Independence, many of them were captured and tortured, or their families CONTINUE READING: Teacher Tom: A Declaration of Interdependence for Young Children, Parents, Caregivers, and Educators
