Jefferson's Original Declaration Draft | New York City News

New York City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 1, 2026 · 1m

Step into history like never before at the New York Public Library’s blockbuster exhibit “Declaring America: 1776 and Beyond,” where you can witness Thomas Jefferson’s original, unedited draft of the Declaration of Independence — possibly the rarest version ever seen. This pivotal document, sent to Jefferson’s mentor just days after July 4, 1776, reveals his fierce opposition to slavery before Congress softened his words for political unity. Visitors are calling it “moving” and “once-in-a-lifetime,” marveling at the clarity of his handwriting and the raw humanity behind the founding of a…