News & Press giving away legible copies of Declaration of Independence

To celebrate the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary, the Darlington County News & Press has printed over 1,000 legible reproductions of our founding document. Unlike the original, these copies are reprinted in a manner which is much easier to read.

The Declaration of Independence was the first document widely and rapidly reprinted in American newspapers in 1776, operating essentially as the “breaking news” press release for the revolution.

The text was approved on July 4, 1776, and printed that very night by John Dunlap. Those initial prints—known as the Dunlap Broadsides—were rushed to colonial assemblies, military leaders, and newspaper printers. By the end of August 1776, the Declaration had been reprinted in at least 29 American newspapers.

We, here at the News & Press, felt that it was our obligation to honor that legacy by making these copies available to the public for free.

Stop by our office before 5pm today or pick one up at Freedom Fest on the Public Square in Darlington between 6pm and 10pm tomorrow. Any remaining copies will be available at our office next week.