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T
he Netherlands is a tiny storybook country in
Europe; a place where windmills still grind corn,
tulips blossom in the fields, and dairies produce some of
the world’s best-loved cheeses.
But the country, which is also known as Holland, suf-
fered through a bloody past. In the 1500s, Holland was
under the rule of a Spanish prince who had little love for
the Dutch people or their land. To the Dutch people,
Prince Philip was a tyrant and they ached for freedom.
In 1568, they rose up against Philip’s rule. Led by
Prince William of Orange, the Dutch fought against
the Spanish army. With the help of the powerful British
navy, they succeeded in driving the Spaniards out of
Holland in 1588.
One of the original copies of the Declaration
of Independence, currently on display at the
Library of Congress. Although a five-member
committee was charged with writing the dec-
laration,Thomas Jefferson is recognized as the
primary author of the document.
4
The Words of
Thomas Jefferson
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