Gale Encyclopedia of American Law Volume 3 P41 fully illuminates today's leading cases, major statutes, legal terms and concepts, notable persons involved with the law, important documents and more. Legal issues are fully discussed in easy-to-understand language, including such high-profile topics as the Americans with Disabilities Act, capital punishment, domestic violence, gay and lesbian rights, physician-assisted suicide and thousands more. | 388 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE On December 8 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signs the Congressional Declaration of War on Japan. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION A declaration against interest is another type of statement received into evidence even though it is being repeated by someone who heard it out of court. It is any comment that admits something harmful to the rights of the person who made the statement. For example a driver says to his or her passenger just before the car misses a curve and ends up in a ditch I know the brakes are bad but don t worry. Later when suing to recover compensation for injuries the passenger can testify that he or she heard the driver make a declaration against his or her interest even though that testimony is hearsay. Customs law requires all persons entering the United States to provide officers with a list of merchandise they are bringing into the country. This list is also called a declaration. Real property laws in various states require the filing of statements to disclose plans that establish certain rights in particular buildings or parcels. For example a homeowners association formed by neighbors to maintain a recreation center owned by all of them together may file a declaration of covenants. A builder may be required to file a declaration of condominium before beginning to sell new units. As a preliminary step before becoming naturalized . citizens aliens must file a declaration of intention that states that they are honestly trying to become citizens and that they formally renounce all allegiance to any other nation where they were ever citizens or subjects. The DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE was a formal announcement on July 4 1776 by which the Continental congress of the united STATES of America proclaimed the independence of the people of the colonies from the rule of Great Britain. It explained the reasons for their assertion of political autonomy and announced to the world that the United .
