Our United States Founding Documents define our system of government and our reasons for forming the government to begin with. What IS the Declaration of Independence?? How many copies are there? Why do we read it aloud, passing around a copy, at our BBQ? For this morning, and in celebration of the Fourth of July, 2024, let’s look at just how many copies there are of the Declaration of Independence and of the United States Constitution?

While there are multiple “originals” of the United States Constitution which served different purposes, there is only one Declaration of Independence. BUT there are additional versions which served different purposes.

There is one original engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is the formal handwritten document signed by the Continental Congress on August 2, 1776. This original copy is housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

However, there are several other significant early versions and copies of the Declaration:

1. Dunlap Broadsides: About 200 copies were printed by John Dunlap on the night of July 4, 1776. These were distributed throughout the colonies to spread the news of independence. Twenty-six of these are known to still exist.
2. Handwritten Copies: Thomas Jefferson made several handwritten copies of his draft of the Declaration, which he sent to friends and colleagues. These copies reflect some of the changes made during the drafting process.
3. Congressional Copies: Congress ordered additional copies of the Declaration to be printed for official use and distribution. These are also considered important historical documents but are not the original engrossed copy.

While there is only one official original engrossed copy, these various early prints and drafts also hold significant historical value.

There are multiple originals of the United States Constitution, which were created to serve different official purposes. Here is a breakdown of the key versions:

1. The Official Engrossed Copy: This is the primary handwritten copy signed by the delegates at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. It is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
2. Official Copies Sent to States: After the Constitution was signed, copies were made and sent to the 13 states for ratification. Each state received a printed copy that was used in the ratification debates.
3. The State Department Copies: The Department of State created official copies for its own use and for sending to foreign governments.

These copies were crucial in ensuring that each state had the opportunity to review and debate the proposed Constitution. Therefore, while the official engrossed copy is the most well-known and is considered the primary document, there are several other original copies that were used for ratification and official purposes.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice

• Multi-published and syndicated blogger and author.
• University lectures at University. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels. Numerous lectures for the NORML Legal Committee
• Former Judge
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee, Distinguished Counsel Circle.
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• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML, and prior chair during legalization, as well as pre and post legalization
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
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• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
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