The Declaration of Independence- the document that forever changed history, the document that led to the creation of what became the United States of America- first began with? the word “subjects,” not “citizens.”
Originally..
The colonists were subjects of the crown at this time. They were protesting the treatment that they were receiving at the hands of those in service of the crown in the colonies.
Yet, when Thomas Jefferson began to pen the Declaration of Independence, he went out of his way to not just correct the word, but to completely wipe the word “subjects” out of the document.
They were no longer subjects to the crown, but a people with allegiance to one another. Scholars long wondered what the word under citizens was originally- we now have the answers. But how did we get those answers?
We have the technology!!
Spectral imaging technology was developed by the military and used for monitoring agriculture- it has now also been used to re create a moment in history that was a turning point for us and the world. Because of this technology, Thomas Jefferson can almost bee seen writing and then smudging the word “subjects” then re writing “citizens” in its place.
This was deciphered several months ago by the Library of Congress and it is ground breaking to discover.
The erased word is on the third page of four page draft and it is where the grievances of King George are addressed and outlined the treasonous actions that he perpetuated against the colonists when they were subjects of the crown.
Finding the word is the Library’s greatest accomplishment and opens the door a bit more of our history. Not only was it a great discovery, but an eye opener for our history as a country and citizenry.
Edited/Published by: SB
