There is Something on The Back

There is one line of text along the bottom edge on the back of the Declaration. It reads, "The Original Declaration of Independence July 4th 1776," This docket (identifying label) was visible when the document was rolled up for storage.

The Fading Declaration

Years of public display before coming to the National Archives caused this treasured document to fade. Today it is maintained under the most exacting archival conditions possible.

The Lee Resolution

The Lee Resolution of the proposal that started it all and led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence.

Richard Henry Lee–Proposer of Independence

Most of us have heard of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin and some of the other founding fathers of our country, but have you ever heard of Richard Henry Lee?   In not, he was the man that proposed Independence, and started the movement towards the Declaration of Independence.