Kids Edition: Thomas Jefferson and the Words That Shaped America

Looking for Lessons? Check these out!Today, we are answering Lucy's question: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Why does that matter?Thomas Jefferson, at just 33 years old, was chosen to write the Declaration of Independence due to his exceptional writing abilities and commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality. His famous words established America's founding principles while revealing contradictions between these ideals and the reality of life in 1776.• Thomas Jefferson was part of a committee including Benjamin Franklin and John Adams• Jefferson wrote the famous line "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."• The Declaration contained contradictions, as not everyone in America was treated equally at that time• Jefferson later became the third president and doubled the size of the country through the Louisiana Purchase• The Declaration's ideas about freedom, equality, and natural rights continue to inspire Americans todayKeep asking big questions and remember that history isn't just about the past—it's also about the future. Check Out the Civic Literacy Curriculum!School of Civic and Economic Thought and LeadershipCenter for American Civics