U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Secrets of the Declaration of Independence
You’ll want to share these amazing facts about one of America’s most important documents.
Amy Lubick knows the secrets of the Declaration of Independence. She works at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. That’s where the document is kept.
“It’s one of our greatest treasures,” Lubick says.
Why? When it was written in 1776, the document described ideas for our new country. Two ideas were that everyone is created equal and has basic rights. Learn more on these pages!
1. Why Was It Written?
In 1776, there were no states in America. There were 13 Colonies, and they were ruled by King George of England.
The Colonies were tired of giving King George money and not having a say in how the government was run. So the Colonies declared to the world that they were going to break free from King George’s rule.
South Australian Government Grant 1924, © Art Gallery of South Australia (King George); Shutterstock.com
When the Colonies declared independence, King George’s army was ready to attack. The two sides fought the Revolutionary War, and America won.
2. Who Wrote It?
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Even if you don’t know the writer’s name, you probably know what he looked like. Thomas Jefferson is on the nickel!
While writing the Declaration, Jefferson used ideas from documents he and others had written.
People thought he did a great job. In fact, in 1801, Jefferson would be elected as the third president of the United States.
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More than a million people a year come to see the Declaration of Independence.
3. What Are Its Biggest Enemies?
Siga via Wikipedia
Paper-eating bugs like these beetles were once a threat to the Declaration.
According to Lubick, the Declaration is sealed inside a special case that is free of oxygen. Without oxygen, organisms that might hurt it can’t live.
The case also keeps the temperature even and light levels low. This helps keep the document safe.
“There are other enemies like water, fire, pollution, and pests,” Lubick says. “But the case and other systems protect the document.”
4. Whose Handprint Is on It?
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Look closely and you’ll see a handprint on the lower left side of the Declaration. Experts don’t know how it got there.
“It’s a great mystery!” says Lubick. “This handprint isn’t seen in a photo of the Declaration from 1903, but it is in a photo from 1940.”
Lubick thinks it must have been made between those years. She hopes to solve the mystery one day. But, so far, no one has figured out whose print it is.
5. Why Didn’t George Sign It?
iStockPhoto/Getty Images (signature); Shutterstock.com
"So long, King George!"
George Washington would later become our first president. But he was away with the Colonies’ army when the Declaration was signed.
The leaders who did sign, like Benjamin Franklin, put themselves in danger. King George could order that they be hanged as traitors.
That’s why people say John Hancock was so brave. This leader from Massachusetts signed first. And he made his signature 5 inches long—that way no one could miss it!
