Declaration of Continuing Independence – First Indian International Indian Treaty Council (1974)
Editor’s Note: This declaration emerged out of a growing activist movement among Native Americans to re-establish their autonomous rights of government, their rights under existing treaties, and their continued grievances with the U.S. government and how their rights have been continually subverted. Nearly 100 indigenous tribes and Nations took part in the 1974 gathering at Standing […]
The Rebirth of the Sovereign Nation of The Republic of Texas (1995)
Editor’s note: Revolution, secession, and independence have been part of Texas’ storied history. On March 2, 1836, a declaration of independence was unanimously approved at its convention of elected delegates, and Texas made its formal break with Mexico. In 1845, after an attempt as an independent republic, Texas became part of the United States. In 1861, […]
Second Vermont Republic (2012)
Editor’s note: The mission statement of the Second Vermont Republic, “a nonviolent citizens’ network and think tank,” contains a declaration of purpose, principle, and intent, and seeks to return Vermont to its erstwhile status as an independent republic. Second Vermont Republic Mission Statement The Second Vermont Republic is a nonviolent citizens’ network and think tank committed […]
Jefferson’s First Draft of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Editor’s note: While Jefferson audaciously, and incorrectly, had etched on his tombstone the he was “author of the Declaration of Independence,” the best he can lay claim to is that he was the composer of the first draft. Would Americans of his day have been as galvanized and presented as united a front, if Jefferson’s draft had […]
A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774)
Editor’s Note: The Summary View, Jefferson’s first manifesto, which served as great grist for Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of July 4, 1776, contains one of the most radical declarations of rights ever made. In the document Jefferson declares that we all have the right to expatriate — and that when we do, we have the right to establish society anew. […]
Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (1775)
Editor’s note: Thomas Jefferson took his first stab at bona fide ‘Declaration creation’ with this document. Issued on July 6, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, this declaration presaged in some ways the Declaration that the same Congress would proclaim on July 4, 1776. Credit for this declaration’s more temperate final version is given to John Dickenson, […]
1961 Declaration of Indian Purpose
Editor’s Note: Native Americans have historically been left out of “all men are created equal.” Recognizing the efficacy of declarations to assert and insert themselves in demanding their own rightful role as equals in America, over the years Native American groups have masterfully composed a number of them. The seeds for this in modern times were sewn […]
The Unanimous Declaration of Independence of The Chiricahua Apache Nde Nation (2007)
Editor’s Note: The Chiricahua are Apache Native Americans based in the Southwest U.S. When I came across their ‘Unanimous Declaration of Independence’ online, issued on May 14, 2007, I called one of the numbers they have listed on the website of the Chiricahua Apache ND Nation to find out who the authors were and […]
