The history of how the Declaration of Independence came to be is familiar to many Americans. Less familiar and equally important is the subsequent history of the document. How did the Declaration go from being a congressional PR document of moderate significance to becoming the defining document of American history and one of the most influential documents in the history of the world. Though it served an important purpose in 1776, the Declaration was not particularly noted or celebrated in the decades after the Revolution.

In this talk, historian Michael D. Hattem will discuss how groups from across the political spectrum have redefined the Declaration and its ideals in an effort to make them more relevant and meaningful to their own times. In the process, he will show how the Declaration became “American Scripture,” as well as a model for independence-seeking people around the world.

The lecture will begin at 6PM. Following the lecture, a reception will be held at 7PM with an optional book signing by our speaker. Books will be available for purchase at the Tryon Palace Museum Store.

About Our Speaker
Michael D. Hattem is a historian of the American Revolution. He received his PhD in History at Yale University and has taught at The New School and Knox College. He is the author of The Memory of ’76: The Revolution in American History (Yale University Press, 2024), which was a finalist for the 2025 George Washington Prize, and Past and Prologue: Politics and Memory in the American Revolution (Yale University Press, 2020). Hattem’s work has been featured or mentioned in The New York Times, TIME magazine, The Smithsonian Magazine, the Washington Post, as well as many other mainstream media publications and outlets. He has served as a historical consultant or contributor for a number of projects and organizations, curated historical exhibitions, appeared in television documentaries, and authenticated and written catalogue essays for historical document auctions.