He described the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "these fragile objects which bear so great a weight of meaning to our people." The story of the Declaration of Independence as a document can only be a part of the larger history, a history still unfolding, a "weight of meaning" constantly, challenged, strengthened, and redefined. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle In the years before it was enshrined in the Archives, the Declaration of Independence was moved many times. In the late 1800s it was kept in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, York, The Declaration of Independence has been stored in many places over the years. For its first few years of existence, it was quickly gathered up by the Continental Congress as they fled from town to town to escape the British army. Where is the Original Declaration of Independence? Fear not, Nicolas Cage did not actually steal the Declaration of Independence as depicted in the film National Treasure and it is not located in Philadelphia. The actual original document still resides at the National Archives in Washington DC. Welcome to ushistory.org's Declaration of Independence website, providing a wealth of information about the Declaration, biographies of all the signers, lesson plans for introducing students to the colonial and revolutionary eras of American history, and much more. Where is the original Declaration? The original Declaration is now exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom in The Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom, located on the upper level of the National Archives Museum, is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. Unlike the other founding documents, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it is powerful. Plan your visit to the National Archives Museum, home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was authored by a “Committee of Five”—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman—with Jefferson as the main drafter. But Jefferson himself later admitted The National Archives Museum is home to the Charters of Freedom, including the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The museum is situated in the heart of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., surrounded by dozens of memorials, museums and historic areas. Visit our website for more information about the National Archives Museum . Current Hours Daily Opening the Vault: Declarations of Independence From Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence to the Bicentennial reproductions, these documents highlight the Declaration’s enduring symbol of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of a more perfect union. Declaration of Independence in its encasement in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom Since 1952 the original parchment document of the Declaration of Independence has resided in the National Archives exhibition hall in Washington, D.C., along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The museum wing of the National Archives, the National Archives Museum is the home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Located at 701 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20408. The semicircular room contains the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The exhibition surrounding the charters highlights the creation and continuing significance of each document. The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, it was adopted unanimously by the Second Continental Congress, who convened at Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in the colonial capital of Philadelphia. These delegates Plan your visit to the National Archives Museum, home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Open Daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 701 Constitution Ave, NW between 7th and 9th streets, Washington, DC 20408. Admission is always free. No reservations required. More information on: Reservations, Tours, Things to do and see, Waiting Time, Security, Bags, Accessibility Encounter the original founding documents of the United States in the National Archives Rotunda, the permanent home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have been instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The museum wing of the National Archives, the National Archives Museum is the home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Located at 701 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20408. Admission is always free.
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