Thomas Jefferson: April 13, 1743 to July 4, 1826

"May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government."




Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Roger Weightman, reflecting on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Which he never got to celebrate, as he died that day, July 4, 1826.