Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence

The United States Declaration of Independence is the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced that the Thirteen Colonies at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain would regard themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states, no longer under British rule. With the Declaration, these new states took a collective first step toward forming the United States of America. The declaration was signed by representatives from New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Wikipedia

Learn more about the Declaration of Independence through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about the Declaration of Independence

Essay arguing against total independence from Great Britain in favor of constitutional independence Sat, Apr 27, 1776 – Page 2 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America) · Newspapers.comEssay arguing against reconciliation & re-union with Great Britain; instead supports independence Mon, Apr 29, 1776 – Page 2 · The Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · Newspapers.comDiscussion of potential negative consequences of declaring independence from Great Britain Wed, May 1, 1776 – Page 2 · The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comExcerpt from Thomas Payne's "Common Sense," reprinted in a Scottish paper, calling for independence 06 May 1776, Mon The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland) Newspapers.comOpinion that American colonies should declare independence immediately, May 1776 Fri, May 10, 1776 – Page 3 · Purdie's Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia) · Newspapers.comLetter from London warns more British troops will be sent to America; Urges "instant" independence 22 May 1776, Wed The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com"Reasons for a Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies" May 1776 Sat, May 25, 1776 – Page 1 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America) · Newspapers.comContinental Congress led by John Hancock prepares to declare independence from Great Britain Sat, Jul 13, 1776 – 1 · The Ipswich Journal (Ipswich, Suffolk, England) · Newspapers.comCopy of the Declaration of Independence printed in a Pennsylvania newspaper in July 1776 Wed, Jul 10, 1776 – Page 1 · The Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comThe Declaration of Independence proclaimed in Trenton, New Jersey, on July 8, 1776 Mon, Jul 15, 1776 – Page 3 · The Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · Newspapers.comOrder for papers to print Declaration of Independence and for sheriffs to read it at courthouses Mon, Jul 29, 1776 – Page 6 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America) · Newspapers.comThe Declaration of Independence is proclaimed in Richmond, Virginia, with joyous reactions Sat, Aug 10, 1776 – Page 6 · The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States of America) · Newspapers.comAfter Declaration of Independence is read in New York, statue of King George III is knocked down Sat, Sep 28, 1776 – 2 · The Newcastle Weekly Courant (Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England) · Newspapers.comBritish newspaper reports that Declaration of Independence is affecting British politics Thu, Oct 17, 1776 – 3 · The Bath Chronicle (Bath, Avon, England) · Newspapers.comExcerpt from a letter describes positive reception of the Declaration of Independence in France 29 Mar 1777, Sat Leicester Journal, and Midland Counties General Advertiser (Leicester, Leicestershire, England) Newspapers.comDefense of the Declaration of Independence submitted by a group of Philadelphians 29 May 1777, Thu The Maryland Gazette (Annapolis, Maryland) Newspapers.comPennsylvania assembly calls on "male white inhabitants" to take oath renouncing loyalty to Britain 23 Oct 1777, Thu The Public Advertiser (London, Greater London, England) Newspapers.comVirginia governor calls for expulsion of British subjects who arrived after the Declaration 04 Jan 1783, Sat The Virginia Gazette, or, The American Advertiser (Richmond, Virginia) Newspapers.comHistory of the United States from signing of Declaration of Independence to the 1876 centenary Sun, Jan 2, 1876 – 5 · New York Daily Herald (New York, New York, United States of America) · Newspapers.comShort histories of the signers of the Declaration of Independence Fri, Jul 7, 1876 – 6 · The Abilene Gazette (Abilene, Kansas, United States of America) · Newspapers.comImage of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and others drafting the Declaration Sat, Jul 3, 1976 – 30 · Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America) · Newspapers.comImage of the signatures as they appear on the Declaration of Independence Sat, Jul 3, 1976 – Page 38 · The Greenville News (Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America) · Newspapers.com