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July 3, 2026
Rare Copy of Declaration of Independence Discovered in UK Archives
- The document was found by volunteer Michael Scurr while cataloging historical papers.
- It is an early copy of the Declaration printed just days after the original was signed in 1776.
- This copy is the only known version outside the United States, emphasizing its rarity.
- The discovery underscores the role of privateers in spreading the news of American independence.
3 Sources
- Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found in UK archives ahead of America’s 250th anniversaryJul 3, 2026 at 12:54 AM · Independent
- 'Vanishingly rare' copy of U.S. Declaration of Independence unearthed in UK archivesJul 3, 2026 at 12:54 PM · Reuters
- Rare 'Exeter' copy of Declaration of Independence discovered in UKJul 3, 2026 at 6:26 PM · The Hill