by Dena Bless
May 18, 2026
[Editor’s note: As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country and look to our Convention theme of Preserving Liberty, we’ve been doing a special series of blogs about different aspects of the founding of our country. Please enjoy the final blog in the series as we look at the Declaration of Independence.] The Declaration of Independence is arguably the most important document in the history of our country. There are many fascinating facts about it and its signing, as well as lots of great folklore. Can you separate the two? The Document Who wrote it and why were they chosen? How long did it take to write it? Did everyone support it or agree with it? Where is the original now stored? The Signing Did the actual signing really take place on the 4th of July? If not: What did happen on the 4th of July? (Why is it the day we celebrate?) When was it signed? Did everyone sign on the same day? What was the atmosphere like at the signing? What compromises were made in order to get the agreement of the delegations from all the colonies? Would you have made them or refused to sign? Some who compromised probably figured they could conquer things one step at a time and/or fix the remaining problems later. Was that a valid approach? Not actually being there and in that time, we can’t fully judge, but can you think of another alternative? The musical 1776 can be an entertaining way to see some of the personalities and issues the Continental Congress had to work through. The Signers What would have happened to these men if we had lost the war? Are you willing to face that kind of possible loss for anything? What were the actual fates of these men? (There is more than one answer for each of the following questions.) Who suffered severe hardship? Who became President? What other positions of authority did others end up holding in this new country they helped shape and found? There are some great stories about the signatures themselves. What are they, and are they true? What would your signature look like if you had been there? How many of the signers, and who exactly, also signed the Constitution? Play this Word Jumble to see if you can name some of the famous signers of the Declaration. The final phrase is the governing body to which they all belonged. Resources (some sites will have multiple pages): Ben’s Guide (U.S. Government Publishing Office, for younger students) The Declaration of Independence and the Hand of Time (National Archives) John Trumball’s famous painting (Architect of the Capitol) Season Of Independence (Museum of the American Revolution, interactive online exhibit) Signers of the Declaration of Independence (Daughters of the American Revolution) Additional Resources
If you want to explore more about the people and events key to the founding of our country, check out the following: YWAM Publishing has a wonderful Heroes of History series of biographies for both young and older kids (and you can visit their booth at Convention in July). Adventures in Odyssey (Focus on the Family) has several episodes set during important events in American history. Liberty’s Kids video series tells many of the stories from the viewpoint of a group of kids/young teens, making it more relatable for children. __________________________________ Dena Bless is extremely grateful for the many freedoms we enjoy in our country. The freedom to homeschool her two daughters and raise them in the Lord was a tremendous blessing to their entire family. She loves being a part of CHEA, Preserving Liberty for families across the state, and encouraging the families to embrace it.
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