Rare copy of Declaration of Independence discovered in UK archives
A volunteer at the National Archives in London found a rare copy of the US Declaration of Independence. This document is one of only 11 surviving copies from the Exeter printing. (sources: cbsnews, theguardian, ft)
The document was located among papers seized from an American ship in 1776. It is the only known copy of its kind outside the United States.
- The document was found by a volunteer cataloging papers at the National Archives in Kew, London.
- It is one of 11 surviving copies from the Exeter printing of the Declaration of Independence.
- The document was taken from the American privateer ship For Michael Scurr.
Why it matters
The discovery highlights the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence and its preservation.
↓ Congress can act on this
3 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is HR3418: Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act.
HR3418 · 119th Congress
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What HR3418 actually does
This story is about Rare copy of Declaration of Independence discovered in UK archives. This bill would support nationally significant historic resources.
If passed, it would:
- If passed, it would: help sustain grant-backed preservation capacity that can support nationally significant historic.
2 other bills moving on this issue
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This story is about Rare copy of Declaration of Independence discovered in UK archives. This bill would add a legislative check before historically significant assets leave federal control.
If passed, it would
- If passed, it would: add a legislative check before historically significant assets leave federal control.
This story is about Rare copy of Declaration of Independence discovered in UK archives. This bill would guarantee minimum allocations for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
If passed, it would
- If passed, it would: guarantee minimum allocations for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.