Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Thomas Jefferson handwritten Declaration of Independence, New York Public Library
This is a video for History Enthusiasts, New York City tourists, Cultured Locals, and Civic and Patriotic Commemorators
To mark the United States Semiquincentennial, the New York Public Library is hosting a rare display of an original manuscript of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson. This specific document features the lengthy anti-slavery passage that was ultimately removed from the final ratified version. This video covers the full history of the document and how you can see it in person.
THE HISTORIC FACTS:
The Document: This artifact is one of several clean, complete copies Thomas Jefferson made in the days following July 4, 1776.
The Purpose: Jefferson hand-wrote these copies for close friends to show them exactly what parts of his original draft had been altered or deleted by the Continental Congress.
The Deleted Clause: The original draft included a passionate 168-word paragraph condemning King George III for propagating the transatlantic slave trade.
The Removal: The clause was completely excised during the editing process at the insistence of delegates from South Carolina and Georgia, who refused to sign the document if it remained.
The Acquisition: The New York Public Library acquired this incredibly rare manuscript in 1897 when it was donated as part of the Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet collection.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into hidden American history, please like the video, leave a comment with your thoughts, and subscribe for more content!
NYPL EVENT DETAILS:
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 5th Ave, New York, NY.
Display Dates: The original manuscript is on display through July 7, 2026.
Nightly Projections: A large-scale illumination of Jefferson’s handwritten manuscript is projected onto the library's 5th Avenue facade every evening at sundown through July 7.
Extended Exhibition: The library is hosting a major exhibition titled Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond, which runs through January 10, 2027.
Ticketing: While advance timed tickets are sold out, a limited number of daily walk-ins are accommodated based on space and time availability.
#DeclarationOfIndependence #History #NYPL #ThomasJefferson #AmericanHistory #NewYorkCity #Semiquincentennial
Thomas Jefferson handwritten Declaration of Independence, New York Public Library
This is a video for History Enthusiasts, New York City tourists, Cultured Locals, and Civic and Patriotic Commemorators
To mark the United States Semiquincentennial, the New York Public Library is hosting a rare display of an original manuscript of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson. This specific document features the lengthy anti-slavery passage that was ultimately removed from the final ratified version. This video covers the full history of the document and how you can see it in person.
THE HISTORIC FACTS:
The Document: This artifact is one of several clean, complete copies Thomas Jefferson made in the days following July 4, 1776.
The Purpose: Jefferson hand-wrote these copies for close friends to show them exactly what parts of his original draft had been altered or deleted by the Continental Congress.
The Deleted Clause: The original draft included a passionate 168-word paragraph condemning King George III for propagating the transatlantic slave trade.
The Removal: The clause was completely excised during the editing process at the insistence of delegates from South Carolina and Georgia, who refused to sign the document if it remained.
The Acquisition: The New York Public Library acquired this incredibly rare manuscript in 1897 when it was donated as part of the Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet collection.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into hidden American history, please like the video, leave a comment with your thoughts, and subscribe for more content!
NYPL EVENT DETAILS:
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 5th Ave, New York, NY.
Display Dates: The original manuscript is on display through July 7, 2026.
Nightly Projections: A large-scale illumination of Jefferson’s handwritten manuscript is projected onto the library's 5th Avenue facade every evening at sundown through July 7.
Extended Exhibition: The library is hosting a major exhibition titled Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond, which runs through January 10, 2027.
Ticketing: While advance timed tickets are sold out, a limited number of daily walk-ins are accommodated based on space and time availability.
#DeclarationOfIndependence #History #NYPL #ThomasJefferson #AmericanHistory #NewYorkCity #Semiquincentennial
