August 13, 2026

Rosemarie Zagarri on The Declaration’s Grievances

When Americans think about the Declaration of Independence, we tend to remember its most famous words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” and its promise of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But to fully understand the Declaration we also need to read the section most Americans skip: its 27 grievances against King George III. For the founding generation, these grievances were not simply a list of complaints. They were central to the Declaration’s argument, laying out the case for how the King and Parliament had violated their rights and why independence had become necessary. Historian Rosemarie Zagarri explores what the grievances meant in 1776, what they reveal about the colonists’ understanding of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and how reading them more closely can deepen our understanding of the Declaration as a constitutional argument and a justification for revolution. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates.    Resources  The Declaration of Independence, National Constitution Center “The Declaration’s Grievances Against the King,” by Rosemarie Zagarri for the National Constitution Center Primary Source: Declaration of Independence (Short list of grievances), National Constitution Center The Promise of America: Reflections on, Our Enduring Ideals  Stay Connected and Learn More  Stay connected with We the People—follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen.  Questions or comments? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@constitutioncenter.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow @ConstitutionCtr on social media and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.  Support our important work by making a donation today.  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate

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