Library of Congress unveils rare draft of the Declaration of Independence in new exhibit

The Library of Congress has opened a new exhibit titled “The Declaration's Promise,” showcasing a rare original draft of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. Curator Ryan Reft points out visible word changes made by Jefferson and fellow founders such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, including the shift from “subjects” to “citizens,” the adoption of the phrase “self‑evident,” and the evolution of “all men are created equal" from a white‑only concept to a broader ideal.

The display also features other historic items, including Abraham Lincoln’s draft of the Gettysburg Address, a reading of the Declaration of Rights by Susan B. Anthony, and speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis. The exhibit is presented against a broader reflection on America’s 250‑year legacy, noting the founding’s ties to indigenous displacement and slavery, and inviting visitors to consider how the nation’s founding language has been reinterpreted over time.