Drafted by 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and announced that the 13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead, they formed a union that would become a new nation - the United States of America.

This facsimile, which is the perfect size for framing, features an inscription on the backside of the document, the same as on the back of the original. The antiqued parchment paper on which it is printed has undergone an aging process exclusive to the National Archives, making each document unique. It was proudly made in Philadelphia by a family-owned company. 

The original Declaration is on permanent exhibit in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.