Reciting the Declaration of Independence

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - On this 4th of July, two brothers from Norfolk shared a very special gift with 10 On Your Side.

They memorized one of our countries most important documents - the Declaration of Independence.

In a time when the Nintendo Wii or XBox are the past times of choice, 10 On Your Side found two young men who decided to do something a little different with their time.

"Our mom really wants us to learn about our country and about freedom," said Rodney Herenton. "The Declaration of Independence is one of the huge American documents, so, we decided to memorize it."

And when Rodney and his brother Willie say they decided to memorize it, they mean all of it.

Every single line.

It's the document formally announcing our country's freedom from the British Empire.
Thirteen American Colonies became 13 independent states, the beginning of the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress.
A statement so important that more than 230 years later these home schooled brothers decided it was worthy of learning.

While the Herenton brothers know every word, they can sum up it's significance in only 8.

"The people really wanted to have their freedom."
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