See the original Declaration of Independence at the National Archives

The Declaration of Independence was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776.

0 on lists

1 done

Add to my list Sign up to like

community notes

Be the first to share

Share progress, encouragement, and tips with everyone chasing this goal.

people also added

Who's doing it

This goal was mentioned in the Feature List:

Stars, Stripes & Symbols: 25 Icons of America to Experience in Person

See other Feature Lists.

About this

The original Declaration of Independence, preserved at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., is a parchment manuscript signed on July 4, 1776, that formally announced the thirteen American colonies’ separation from Great Britain and articulated the revolutionary principle that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Crafted by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and the Continental Congress, the document’s bold script and iconic signatures—including that of John Hancock—embody the birth certificate of the United States and the enduring promise of liberty and equality. Today, displayed behind protective argon-filled glass and viewed by millions each year, it stands as both a tangible relic of America’s founding and an aspirational milestone for anyone who dreams of championing freedom and human rights.

This page uses an image from the Wikipedia article on United States Declaration of Independence and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (view authors).