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  • Jefferson's Three Greatest Achievements
  • The Declaration of Independence

Reading the Declaration

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Just about every American knows that Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence set the wheels in motion for what would become the United States. But far fewer are familiar with the document’s details beyond its famous preamble. To help remedy that, John Ragosta, a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello, explains some of the finer points of one of history’s most important documents.

  • The Declaration of Independence
    • Jefferson and the Declaration
    • Reading the Declaration
    • Declaration of Independence Exhibit
    • The Declaration Around the World
    • Timeline of the Declaration of Independence
    • The Legacy of the Declaration
    • Transcript of the Declaration
    • Transcript of the Rough Draft of the Declaration
    • Audio Downloads of the Declaration
    • Thomas Jefferson and George III
    • Committee of Five
    • A Summary View of the Rights of British America
  • Religious Freedom
  • The University of Virginia

ADDRESS:
1050 Monticello Loop
Charlottesville, VA 22902
GENERAL INFORMATION:
(434) 984-9800

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
monticello on the map
Mapping Address
Monticello 1050 Monticello Loop
Charlottesville, VA 22902
General Information (434) 984-9800

THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION®

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Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987
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