Virtual Journey of the Declaration of Independence: The Declaration is Sent Across the Colonies

National Archives Museum
Online

This summer, take a Virtual Journey with the National Archives to find out how the Declaration of Independence came to be. The National Archives is the permanent home of the original Declaration of Independence.

Our Virtual Journey of the Declaration of Independence takes place on the following dates: June 7, June 11, July 2, July 4, July 9, July 19, and August 2. Each step of the Journey will go live on the @USNatArchives Facebook page by 1 p.m. of the program date. Join us along with historical re-enactors to learn more about the Declaration of Independence.

Travel with us on July 9 for our fifth step of our Virtual Journey of the Declaration of Independence. Trace the path of the Declaration as copies were sent across the colonies to be read in public places, and find out Abigail Adams's response to hearing it read in Boston.

On July 19, the sixth step of the Virtual Journey of the Declaration of Independence, learn from Timothy Matlack about the parchment and ink he used for the final version. 

August 2 is the final step of the Virtual Journey of the Declaration of Independence. On this day when the document was officially signed, listen to Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Oney Judge (formerly enslaved by George Washington), Abigail Adams, and Ned Hector (a soldier from the Battle of Brandywine) discuss the Declaration as a building block for the new United States and describe its permanent home in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, DC.