Thomas Jefferson’s Handwritten Declaration of Independence
Episode 3 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Featured here is a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Join Anthony Marx, President and CEO of the New York Public Library, as he showcases Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and its historical significance. This copy is now a part of the NYPL’s Polonsky Exhibition.
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NYPL Treasures is a local public television program presented by WLIW PBS
Thomas Jefferson’s Handwritten Declaration of Independence
Episode 3 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Join Anthony Marx, President and CEO of the New York Public Library, as he showcases Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence and its historical significance. This copy is now a part of the NYPL’s Polonsky Exhibition.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipAnthony: This is Thomas Jefferson's handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson made this copy for a friend shortly after July 4, 1776, that is, in effect, a track change document that shows history in the making.
He starts the document with "The United States of America," and capitalized the word "AMERICA."
That is the moment that the idea of an American nation was born.
It was always "THE UNITED STATES" in caps.
Multiple states, that was our identity.
By capitalizing America, equally, he's saying, "No, we aren't a collective of states.
We are a single thing -- The United States of America."
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NYPL Treasures is a local public television program presented by WLIW PBS