Oklahoma City KEY - Cover Story

One of only 25 remaining original copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed on the evening of July 4, 1776, will be available for public viewing at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum
beginning Friday, December 5.

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress, led by John Hancock, rendered official Thomas Jefferson’s text of the Declaration. The manuscript was rushed to the shop of Philadelphia printer John Dunlap, where he typeset the document and created about 200 "broadsides" of the text. Copies of the freshly drafted Declaration of Independence were carried by riders on horseback throughout the colonies, read aloud to large groups and printed in 24 colonial newspapers.

As of 1989, only 24 copies of the Dunlap broadsides were known to exist, until a flea market shopper bought a framed painting for four dollars. While inspecting a tear in the painting, the owner
discovered a folded Dunlap broadside behind it. This 25th copy of the Dunlap broadside was authenticated by Sotheby's and an independent expert. Producer Norman Lear acquired this Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration in June 2000 with the goal of bringing the "People’s Document" directly to Americans---especially young people---to inspire them to participate in civic activism, to exercise their rights and to vote.

For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the Declaration of Independence. The multimedia exhibition presents the document in both historical and contemporary contexts. Historical and current photographs, video and music illustrate the lasting values and ideals
embodied by the revered document that first set forth the celebrated words - "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal."

The Declaration will visit the Memorial Museum as an official stop on a nationwide tour called the Declaration of Independence Road Trip. The exhibit features an entertaining and educational video that explains the history of the Declaration and its relevance to contemporary America, hosted by Reese Witherspoon, a descendant of one of the signers of the document.

Also a part of the exhibit is an extraordinary 14-minute film produced by Norman Lear and Rob Reiner that includes a powerful theatrical presentation of the Declaration of Independence by a distinguished group of actors including Mel Gibson, Kathy Bates, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Whoopi Goldberg, Graham Greene, Ming-Na, Edward Norton, Winona Ryder, Kevin Spacey and Renee Zellweger.

The Declaration of Independence Exhibit is available for viewing through Tuesday, December 16. Hours are Monday thru Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday, 1pm to 6pm. For more information, call the museum at (405) 235-3313, 1-888-542-HOPE, or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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