Introduction

American Originals—Treasures from the National Archives

"American Originals" is a changing exhibit that has presented the nation's greatest documentary treasures in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building since December 1995. Over the years, the exhibit has featured the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, the police blotter listing Abraham Lincoln's assassination, the first report of the Titanic's collision with an iceberg, Rosa Parks's arrest records, and many other items.

Both famous and rare, these documents provide unique insights into the towering figures and events that have shaped U.S. history. They represent the larger historical record held in trust for the American people by the National Archives. This online edition of "American Originals" brings selected milestone documents from the exhibit directly to you.