The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 1876

Waterman Lilly Ormsby made this engraving, "The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776," in the 19th century after the original event. It depicts a pivotal moment in American history, full of political and cultural meaning. Engravings like this one served an important role in shaping national identity in the young United States. The print emphasizes the solemnity and unanimity of the founding fathers and promotes the idea of a unified nation. However, it also reflects the social hierarchies of the time, with only white, male landowners represented and the contributions and struggles of women, enslaved people, and indigenous populations erased from the narrative. To understand Ormsby’s choices better, we can look at the history of printmaking and its role in disseminating political ideas. Researching the biographies of the figures depicted here, and the political rhetoric of the era, also helps us understand the values and contradictions embedded in this iconic image.