1776 United States Declaration of Independence

1776 United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1776) and is considered to be the most cherished symbol of liberty of the United States. Here, in exalted and unforgettable phrases, Jefferson expressed the convictions in the minds and hearts of the people. The political philosophy of the Declaration was not new; its ideals of individual liberty had already been expressed by John Locke and other philosophers. Jefferson summarized this philosophy in "self-evident truths" and set forth a list of grievances against the King in order to justify before the world the breaking of ties between the colonies and Britain.

First photo: Contributors - Illman Brothers. Second photo: Publisher - N. Currier, New York

First photo: 1861 - 1890. Second photo: 1835-1856

https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/pga/07100/07155r.jpg, http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b50000/3b50000/3b50100/3b50118r.jpg

Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Digital ID 

First photo: 16 head-and-shoulders portraits of the first 16 presidents of the U.S. surrounding the Declaration of Independence and its signers.

Second photo: Declaration of Independence: July 4th 1776

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

First photo: Medium - Wood Engaving.

Second photo: Medium - Color Lithograph.

English

Document

Declaration of Indepndence, Thomas Jefferson, United States, Liberty, John locke, Britain

United States