Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found in UK archives
A volunteer discovered a significant historical document in the National Archives in London. The document had been unread for centuries. (sources: fortune, reuters, cbsnews, ap, theguardian)
A volunteer at the UK National Archives found a rare copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence among papers from a captured American ship. The document had remained unread for 250 years.
- The document was captured from a Revolutionary privateer in 1776.
- It was found in Royal Navy files by a retired insurance executive named Michael Scurr.
- The document had been stored in the archives for 250 years.
Why it matters
The discovery highlights the historical connections between the U.S. and the UK during the Revolutionary War.
↓ 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
Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act
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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.
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