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The Conversation USA

The Declaration of Independence wasn't really complaining about King George, and 5 other surprising facts for July Fourth

  • Written by Woody Holton, Professor of History, University of South Carolina
imageFireworks shows commonly celebrate the nation's birthday. Pete Saloutos via Getty Images

Editor’s note: Americans may think they know a lot about the Declaration of Independence, but many of those ideas are elitist and wrong, as historian Woody Holton explains.

His forthcoming book “Liberty is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American...

Read more: The Declaration of Independence wasn't really complaining about King George, and 5 other...

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