4.19.2011

Declaration of Independence

Did you know that there is a traveling version of the Declaration of Independence? Neither did I until a friend of mine sent me a link to a news story about it heading our way. It's only here for two days so we're hoping to go see it while it's in town.

This rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was one of approximately 200 copies printed on the night of July 4, 1776 by Philadelphia printer John Dunlap. As of 1989, only 24 copies of the Dunlap broadsides were known to exist, until a flea market shopper bought a framed painting for four dollars. While inspecting a tear in the painting, the owner discovered a folded Dunlap broadside behind it.

This 25th copy of the Dunlap broadside was authenticated by Sotheby’s and an independent expert.

In June 2000, producer Norman Lear and his wife Lyn purchased the document on Sotheby’s online auction for $8 million and formed the Declaration of Independence Road Trip. Lear’s goal for the ten-year, cross-country tour was to exhibit in all 50 States, bringing the “People’s Document” directly to Americans – especially young people – to inspire them to participate in civic activism, to exercise their rights and, above all, to vote.



What an incredible opportunity the Lear Foundation has provided to the American people. I was a senior in high school before I was able to get to Washington, D.C. to see the Declaration of Independence and here my 7 and 9 year old will get to see a copy before they are even out of grade school.




Pau.




- hfs