Rare Declaration of Independence copy on Display at NYPL
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the main branch of the New York Public Library.
It is one of only four fair copies of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson after July 4, 1776 -- and it's unique because Jefferson condemns the slave trade.
"The ink that is used to write this document is actually very prone to fading, particularly with light. When visitors come, they see they are in a very dim room; it's to protect the document," said 42nd Street library director Julie Golia.
In June 1776, from his home in Philadelphia, Jefferson began writing and, after only a few weeks, shared a draft with five delegates.
They tinkered with the document and presented it to the Second Continental Congress, where the real negotiations unfolded.
"History isn't fixed, it's made, it is debated, it is uncertain," said NYPL President Tony Marx.
The final version was one page and contained only about three-quarters of Jefferson's original text.
He was so bothered that after the Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 4, 1776, he sat down and wrote everything he strongly believed should have been included.
Note the underlined part: Jefferson condemns the slave trade, blaming England and King George. But delegates from Georgia and South Carolina insisted that the section be removed, and it was.
"I think he saw the founding of the United States as the beginning of the end of this kind of injustice; he wanted to push for that, but like any imperfect person, he couldn't see it through," Golia said.
So far, about 11,000 people have gotten tickets for the event that runs through July 7, but many more can see the document, which will be projected on the outside of the library.
The Declaration of Independence display is part of the NYPL's systemwide celebration of America's 250th birthday.
RELATED | More Celebrate America stories
Disney is Celebrating America like never before, starting Friday night at 8 and then at 10, David Muir reports live from the Statue of Liberty. After Eyewitness News at 11-- the final countdown is on with "Party Across America," from Bourbon Street to the Vegas Strip to Times Square with Sam Champion as the ball drops to ring in July 4th.
Coverage continues all night and as day breaks on Saturday-- David Muir traces our nation's amazing history.
After a special GMA, Hometowns and Heroes goes cross-country on America's westward expansion. Then ESPN covers Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest and ABC News and National Geographic present the Seven Natural Wonders of America.
At 5, ESPN's SportsCenter celebrates sports stories that shaped America and after a special edition of World News Tonight-- join Ryan Seacrest for "Nashville's Star Spangled Bash." Music's biggest stars will perform live and one of the largest fireworks celebrations in the nation. Again-- it all starts Friday night on Channel 7.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
