The condition of the parchment declaration of independence is a sign of the place it has held in the hearts of many americans.
Declaration of independence by thomas jefferson. On the fourth of july it approved the declaration of independence. Years of public display have faded and worn this treasured document. The principal author of the declaration of independence jefferson was a proponent of. Drafting the declaration of independence in 1776 became the defining event in thomas jefferson s life.
Thomas jefferson and the declaration of independence. He previously served as the second vice president of the united states from 1797 to 1801. On july 2 1776 congress voted to declare independence. How the declaration came about.
Thomas jefferson wrote the declaration of independence while he was renting a room in the home of a philadelphia bricklayer. He watched while members debated his words. Learn how the declaration of independence was drafted reviewed by congress and adopted dramatization of events surrounding the adoption of the declaration of independence which was written by thomas jefferson and approved by the continental congress and signed on july 4 1776 encyclopædia britannica inc see all videos for this article. The united states declaration of independence is the pronouncement adopted by the second continental congress meeting at the pennsylvania state house now known as independence hall in philadelphia pennsylvania on july 4 1776 the declaration explained why the thirteen colonies at war with the kingdom of great britain regarded themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states no longer.
Thomas jefferson is considered the primary author of the declaration of independence although jefferson s draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the second continental congress. John adams a leader in those debates remembered that jefferson was silent even in committee meetings though consistently staunch in his support for independence. Today it is maintained under the most exacting archival conditions possible. Thomas jefferson wasn t recognized as the principal author of the declaration of independence until the 1790s.
A replica of the original building known as the graff house stands on the spot in philadelphia and was built in 1975 by the independence hall association. His chief role was as a draftsman of resolutions. Thomas jefferson thomas jefferson declaring independence. He later wrote that the congress mangled his writing.
The document was originally presented as a collective effort by the entire.