Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE COMES TO STATE CAPITOL FOR GEORGIA DAY

The Georgia Archives will be displaying our state’s official copy of the Declaration of Independence for the first time at the Capitol in conjunction with Georgia Day on Monday, February 12 at the State Capitol. Georgia Day is the official recognition of James Oglethorpe’s settlement of the colony on February 12, 1733.

The Declaration will be displayed along with the Royal Charter that first established Georgia as a British colony.

Greg Jarrell, a research archivist with the Georgia Archives, found Georgia’s official copy of the Declaration of Independence while conducting routine research for a customer. Jarrell realized the document was special when he saw these words at the document’s conclusion: “In Congress, Jan. 1777 Ordered: That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independence with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States and that they be desired to have the same put on record. By Order of Congress, John Hancock, President Recorded 2nd March 1777.”

David Carmichael, director of the Georgia Archives, speculates archivists lost track of the document over the years after it was bound in a mislabeled book with other documents from the period.

The documents will be available in the Capitol for viewing on Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tours of the Capitol are conducted by the Capitol Tour Desk, near the Washington Street entrance of the Capitol.

The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our business community, our government, and our citizens. Helping elections run smoothly is the responsibility of the Secretary of State’s Office with which the people are most familiar. Our nation’s democracy is based on voter participation. Those voters deserve to have confidence in their voting systems and it is the responsibility of this office to provide it. In addition, the Secretary of State’s office oversees corporations, securities, and professional licensing boards, and also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.

For Immediate Release February 9, 2007	FFI Contact:Matt Carrothers Director of Communications 404.656.5792

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE COMES TO STATE CAPITOL FOR GEORGIA DAY The Georgia Archives will be displaying our state’s official copy of the Declaration of Independence for the first time at the Capitol in conjunction with Georgia Day on Monday, February 12 at the State Capitol. Georgia Day is the official recognition of James Oglethorpe’s settlement of the colony on February 12, 1733. The Declaration will be displayed along with the Royal Charter that first established Georgia as a British colony. Greg Jarrell, a research archivist with the Georgia Archives, found Georgia’s official copy of the Declaration of Independence while conducting routine research for a customer. Jarrell realized the document was special when he saw these words at the document’s conclusion: “In Congress, Jan. 1777 Ordered: That an authenticated copy of the Declaration of Independence with the names of the members of Congress subscribing the same, be sent to each of the United States and that they be desired to have the same put on record. By Order of Congress, John Hancock, President Recorded 2nd March 1777.” David Carmichael, director of the Georgia Archives, speculates archivists lost track of the document over the years after it was bound in a mislabeled book with other documents from the period. The documents will be available in the Capitol for viewing on Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tours of the Capitol are conducted by the Capitol Tour Desk, near the Washington Street entrance of the Capitol. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our business community, our government, and our citizens. Helping elections run smoothly is the responsibility of the Secretary of State’s Office with which the people are most familiar. Our nation’s democracy is based on voter participation. Those voters deserve to have confidence in their voting systems and it is the responsibility of this office to provide it. In addition, the Secretary of State’s office oversees corporations, securities, and professional licensing boards, and also controls the state archives and the Capitol museum.