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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 Declaration of Independence: A History. Nations come into being in many ways. Military rebellion, civil strife, acts of heroism, acts of treachery, a thousand greater and lesser clashes between defenders of the old order and supporters of the new--all these occurrences and more have marked the emergences of new nations, large and small. Enlarge PDF Link Declaration of Independence Official signed copy of the Declaration of Independence, August 2, 1776; Miscellaneous Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789, Record Group 360; National Archives. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Continental Every July 4, the National Archives marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with its traditional in-person Independence Day program! Highlights include welcoming remarks by Archivist of the United States, a variety of educational and family-friendly interactive The introductory sentence states the Declaration’s main purpose, to explain the colonists’ right to revolution. In other words, “to declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” Congress had to prove the legitimacy of its cause. It had just defied the most powerful nation on Earth. High-Resolution Declaration Image (1.43 MB) This image is of the actual Declaration of Independence parchment. These images are in the public domain and no permission is required to use them. Please credit the National Archives as the original source. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was engrossed on parchment and on August 2, 1776, delegates began signing it. Guided Tours The National Archives is the home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and other historically important records of the United States. You can enhance your visit to the Archives with a free tour led by our friendly, knowledgeable staff. On permanent display in the National Archives Rotunda is the original engrossed Declaration of Independence. Signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress, it broke ties with Britain and proclaimed that the united colonies are free, independent states. The 250th anniversary of the Declaration will be marked in 2026 and, to celebrate, we are sharing some of the most iconic About the Rotunda. On December 15, 1952, President Harry S. Truman presided over the unveiling of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights in the Rotunda of the National Archives. From Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6, 2025, to celebrate Independence Day, the National Archives will display several historic documents related to the Declaration of Independence, including Richard Henry Lee’s June 7, 1776, resolution calling for independence and a July 5, 1776, original Dunlap Broadside first-edition printing of 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 Declaration of Independence in its encasement in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. Declaration of Independence Learn More The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for Known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, these three documents are on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for separation from Great Britain. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) 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. Today, the Declaration of Independence is the nation’s most cherished symbol of liberty and is celebrated each year on July 4th, a national holiday that is considered America’s birthday.The original signed Declaration is safeguarded for the American people by the National Archives and is seen by more than 1 million people each year in the 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. 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.
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