The Declaration's Journey

The founding document of the United States of America is now 250 years old. Written in Philadelphia in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was an announcement of political independence from Great Britain.

But that was just the beginning.

The Declaration of Independence became a model for people who wanted to change the world—to create new governments or inspire the spread of equality and individual freedom. It also sparked debates about who could claim its principles and guarantees, both in the United States and among populations abroad.

This is the story of the journey of one document and its influence, spreading out from Philadelphia across the world and over the centuries. It is a story of contests over nationhood, slavery, rights, and equality. It is a story that calls us to participate and draw on this complex history to decide how we want to continue the Declaration’s journey.

This timeline is a complement to the onsite special exhibition, The Declaration's Journey, on view at the Museum through Jan. 3, 2027, and the virtual tour of the exhibition, coming in 2026.