The Declaration of Independence

This was so exciting to be a part of!! A little bit about this original copy. 1776, July 4th; the original Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the draft was edited, solidified and approved by the other colony representatives (the Continental Congress) that were present and then it was rushed out to the printer. John Hancock commissioned John Dunlap to print 250 broadside (very large--poster sized) copies. These copies were given to the colony representatives and were sent throughout the land being read aloud in every town center and all available open forums as a rallying cry to the people. The most commonly known Declaration copy was penned sometime after July 19th and was signed starting on August 2, 1776 (though it took several months to collect all the signatures). This copy is housed at the Library of Congress. The Copy that visited Salt Lake is an original Dunlap Broadside. There are 25 known Dunlap Broadsides in existence today. Most of these are owned by museums throughout the world, some are in private collections and this Broadside, known as the "Peoples Declaration" is the only declaration that tours. It is owned by the man who founded "Declare Yourself" a nonprofit geared toward getting people registered to vote. It was so cool to see this document and read it. Even though I have read the words of the Declaration of Independence before I had never read from it directly. There is power in that document! I was overcome with emotion as I watch 1ooos of people waiting hours to see it, to show it to their children, each one baring witness of their love for this country. The document, 230 years later, still serves as a rallying cry for the people of this nation. It was sobering and I will never forget it.