The Introduction

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Modern Translation: When history forces a group of people to break away from their country and become independent — something they have a right to do under natural law — it is polite to explain to the rest of the world exactly why they are doing it.

Definition: Dissolve – To end or break apart (in this case, the political ties to Britain).