Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
self-evident selvinnlysende/ sjølvinnlysande endowed velsignet/velsigna
The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776. This independence from Britain led to the celebration of Independence Day every year, similar to Norway’s May 17.
unalienable umistelige/umistelege among blant liberty frihet/fridom independence uavhengighet/ sjølvstende similar to i likhet med / slik som significant betydningsfull/viktig for granted for gitt
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foundation fundament, grunnlag pursue forfølge/forfølgje
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The Declaration of Independence is still significant today both because it is a symbol of an independent nation and because it promotes very important human rights, for instance, freedom, equality and the right to find happiness. Most of us take these rights for granted, but 250 years ago the world was quite different. These values were the foundation of the new, free American nation, compared to old powerful countries with kings and queens and rich landowners. People left behind poverty and hopelessness in their own countries for the promise of free land, freedom, equality and the right to pursue happiness.
WATCH → The Patriot → American Treasure → Thirty Seconds to Mars – Walk On Water
What does it mean to have the right to pursue happiness?
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25 Make a table of expressions and their explanations using the following terms. Use a dictionary when needed. hold, truths, self-evident, created, equal, endowed, creator, certain, unalienable rights, among, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness Expression
Explanation
Hold
Have a belief or opinion
Truths
63($.,1* 26 What happened on July 4, 1776, and why is this significant for modern Americans? 27 What similarities can you find between the Declaration of Independence and the American Dream?
28 The Declaration of Independence states that ALL are born equal and ALL have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. a Why were these ideas so important for the creation of the USA as a nation of nations and the American identity? b Are these ideas true for ALL Americans, for instance, slaves, Native Americans, women and children? If so, have they always been true?
(;75$ &+$//(1*( 29 In groups, investigate similarities and differences between the Fourth of July and the Norwegian national day. Illustrate your findings by making a double bubble based on images and not text. Find images online. Discuss and compare your findings with other groups.
The United States of America
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