September 15, 2003

The Declaration of Independence Visits TFK

One of history's most famous documents was on display at TFK

"...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

--From The Declaration of Independence

Declaration Stops at TFK!
These words from one of history's most famous documents were the topic of discussion when the Declaration of Independence visited Time For Kids. That's right, an original signed copy of The Declaration of Independence was on display for kids and the public on September 10 and 11 at the Time & Life Building in New York! It was the latest stop on the Declaration of Independence Road Trip.

The Birth of the Declaration of Independence
More than 200 years ago, after years of rule by the British, American colonists wanted to make their own rules and create their own government. On June 11, 1776, a young lawyer named Thomas Jefferson was asked to write a declaration of America’s independence, or freedom, from Great Britain.

After viewing the Declaration, kids got a chance to vote on mock ballot questions in actual voting machines.

Jefferson's draft, revised by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, was sent to Congress. After a series of revisions, it was adopted on July 4, 1776. All these years later, the Declaration symbolizes the freedom and rights of the citizens of the United States.

What the People's Document Means to Kids
Hoping to bring the "People’s Document" directly to Americans, especially kids, television and movie producer Norman Lear helped purchase an original copy in June 2000. Shortly afterward, Lear founded the Declaration of Independence Road Trip.

During a stop at TFK, Lear talked with Kid Reporter Danielle Oberdier about the road trip and what the Declaration means to us today. Joel Klein, the man in charge of New York City's schools, also visited TFK. New York's Schools Chancellor gave about 200 fourth and fifth graders a lesson on what remains one of the most important documents in American history.

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