Popular Mechanics:
The official declaration of America’s independence from Britain may be dated July 4, 1776, but the story of the Thomas Jefferson’s hallowed document really begins two weeks later. On July 19, the Continental Congress ordered a scribe, Pennsylvania State House clerk Timothy Matlack, to write the words on a piece of parchment big enough for everyone to read—and with room for signatures.
Since then, the Declaration of Independence has had a fairly rough time. A forensic analysis of the document shows some rough handling, damaging displays, and even a mysterious handprint. Understanding why it looks the way that it does — much more faded and battered than the U.S. Constitution or The Bill of Rights — is a romp through the history of printing, preservation, and patriotism.
It is one of the most important documents in human history and the process of its care and preservation is fascinating.
I was gonna say “in human history” is a stretch, but then realized that I had no basis for comparison and have no idea what documents would be considered important “in human history”.
America needs to repair its real democracy, now in the clutches of trump and his cronies.
Oh, and teach American kids about history so they can defend democracy instead of capitulating to blowhards.
The Magna Carta, and Dead Sea scrolls come to mind.
Saving the paper itself is far less important than saving the content. Not sure science can do that.
Maybe copies should be sent to Congress so they can remember what this nation is about so we can rid ourselves of the fascism that threatens us.
I believe I first saw it in person at the Archives back in the 1970s, when it was in an inert-gas-filled display case in a darkened area of the room.
Speaking of inert gas, I understand there were some very fine Trump supporters who heard about NPR’s broadcast reading of the Declaration on the 4th and didn’t recognize what it was.
So, that’s reassuring.
The rosetta stone, the Aztec calendar… (i mean, these are carved on stone, but still), the First Folio edition of Shakespeare…
That time Nicholas Cage stole it from the National Archives must have inflicted its share of damage.