"Very" is a stupid word.

[lamignonette]

[whencyclopedia]

Declaration of Independence: Birth of a Nation

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, marks the birth of the United States of America as it announced the Thirteen Colonies’ decision to break away from British rule. Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, this document laid out the colonies’ reasons for seeking independence and articulated groundbreaking ideas about human rights and equality that continue to influence democracies worldwide.

Key Facts

Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Declared the Thirteen Colonies independent from Great Britain during the American Revolution.

Asserted that “all men are created equal” with “unalienable rights” to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Initially seen as a formal political statement, it gained profound importance over time as a statement of human rights.

Influenced by Enlightenment thinker John Locke, emphasizing natural rights and equality.

Served as a moral and legal foundation for later movements such as the abolition of slavery and civil rights.

Part of a trio of key founding documents, alongside the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.

Historical Context

In the 1760s and 1770s, rising tensions between the American colonists and Great Britain—over taxation, governance, and representation—culminated in calls for independence. The Declaration was a formal statement explaining the colonies’ justified reasons to separate and seek self-governance amid the broader conflict of the American Revolution.

Historical Significance

The Declaration of Independence is more than just a statement of separation; it is a pivotal human rights document that introduced revolutionary ideas about equality and liberty. It set a global precedent for democratic governance and inspired countless struggles for freedom and justice worldwide. Its core principles remain a touchstone for American identity and civil rights advocacy.

The Declaration continues to resonate as a symbol of the fight for freedom and equality, reminding us that nations are built not only on geography and power but on shared ideals and human dignity.

Learn More: Declaration of Independence

[lemaldusiecle]

A lock of Lucrezia Borgia's hair in a glass case at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy.

[vintageeveryday]

In Luc Besson’s 1994 film Léon: The Professional, Natalie Portman made her unforgettable feature film debut as Mathilda Lando. Portman was 11 years old when she was cast and 12 when the movie was filmed. See more photos of a very young Natalie Portman as Mathilda Lando in Léon: The Professional here...

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Public shaming about littering in Times Square, 1955.

Photo: Viewing NYC

[oldnewyorklandia]

New York, China Town (unknown photographer / no date)

[oldnewyorklandia]

Granville W. Pullis. Construction of the New York Subway /Ashland Place and Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, 1911. read

[newyorknyc]

[keeganofkingstown]

Stone in flaming tree.

[vintageeveryday]

A woman putting a mask on her dog, London, 1953.

[back-then]

Marilyn Monroe 1953 Bildquelle: Library of Congress

[archaeologicalnews]

Egypt opens ancient tomb of King Djoser after restoration

Egypt on Tuesday showcased an ancient tomb structure belonging to the cemetery complex of King Djoser, a pharaoh who lived more than 4,500 years ago, following extensive restorations of the site.

The structure—known as the Southern Tomb—is largely underground and includes a labyrinth of corridors, decorated with hieroglyphic carvings and tiles. A central funeral shaft houses a massive granite-clad sarcophagus from Egypt’s Third Dynasty.

However, the pharaoh was not actually buried there but in the famed Step Pyramid nearby. The two structures make up part of the Saqqara complex near Cairo—one of the country’s richest archeological sites. The Step Pyramid is the oldest known pyramid and one of the first examples of monumental architecture from the ancient world, according to UNESCO. It is believed to have been the inspiration for the Pyramids at Giza. Read more.

[awallofswords]

British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers’ Sword

The infamous and much maligned 1796 pattern Heavy Cavalry troopers’ sword. 

Introduced in 1796 as part of John Gaspard Le Marchant’s inspired reform of the British cavalry, the 1796 Heavy cavalry sword, like the French An XIII is an iconic sword of the Napoleonic wars. Being a strong proponent of ‘cut over thrust’ Le Marchant had intended that both the light and heavy cavalry would be armed with his curved sabre (see the 1796 pattern light cavalry sabre). He reasoned that thrust centric attacks could only target the face and torso to be effective, while cuts could be applied all over. Even though thrusts were generally more deadly, a soldier with a broken or badly lacerated arm was just a likely to be taken out of battle. He also observed the soldiers natural tendency to favour cutting attacks once melee was joined.

However, the Ordnance Board insisted on a straight, backsword blade and it was decided to copy the Austrian m1775 pallasch.

The 1788 and 1796 pattern trooper swords mark another important departure for cavalry equipment that is often overlooked. The 1788 pattern is the first where, control of the procurement of equipment was handed over to the Ordnance Board for purchase and distribution of troopers’ equipment. Prior to that the regimental colonels were given funds to buy the troopers swords themselves. Resulting in a large variance in patterns and quality of weapons.

In the late 18th Century, there was a strong push by British manufacturers lead by Theo Gill, extoling the virtue of British made swords. Gill and Osborn introduced their own quality control testing standards that were picked up by the Ordnance Board who began to conduct their own approval tests and stamping the blades with an acceptance mark (a Crown over a number for each different inspector).

During its life the sword also saw service with the Portuguese and Swedish cavalry who were sold large numbers of weapons by the British, so that they could continue opposing Napoleon on the European continent.

Finally replaced in the late 1820s as the 1821 pattern began to arrive with the troops, the 1796 underwent a number of cosmetic changes. The hatchet point was altered into a spear point to make it a better thrusting weapon. The langets were removed as un-necessary and the inside of the guard was cut down to make it easier to carry. 

My sword was manufactured by Samuel Dawes is ordnance marked with the Crown over 4 stamp plus a unit marking ‘I over 46′ (Troop I, sword 46) on the guard. It retains its’ original guard, double langets and hatchet point which were often modified in the field or by regimental order. The grip leather is a later replacement. Overall Length - 1020 mm Blade Length - 890 mm Blade Curve - 5.0mm Point of Balance - 180 mm Grip Length - 120 mm Inside Grip Length - 108 mm Weight - 1020 grams Total Weight - 2650 grams

Additional Links:

Battle of Waterloo - Royal Armouries

Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword - Royal Armouries

Getting the Point - Napoleon Series

[vintageeveryday]

Two men demonstrate a pipe called the “Double Ender” in New York, 1949. According to its manufacturer, the pipe was designed as a means of conserving tobacco by a couple of pipe smokers down on their luck, or, sharing a smoke at a ball game.

(Photo: Ed Ford/AP)

[vintageeveryday]

In this photograph by Alfred A. Hart taken between 1865–1869, a Native American man looks down upon a newly completed section of the Transcontinental Railroad, 435 miles from Sacramento, California.

[vintageeveryday]

A collection of 40 rare color photographs of France in World War I

[danismm]

“Newest Classroom”. It has a spotlight for each desk and chalk that shines in the dark. New York University 1949.