Michael Auslin Explores the Enduring Legacy of the Declaration of Independence in New Book and Guest Blog Series

Michael Auslin, a Distinguished Research Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, will guest-blog this week about his new book, National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America. The book marks the 250th anniversary of America’s founding by tracing the document’s evolution from its drafting by Thomas Jefferson to its enduring role in shaping the nation’s identity.

The Declaration of Independence, though drafted by a quiet and politically untested Thomas Jefferson, became a cornerstone of American ideals. Auslin’s work explores how Jefferson’s soaring rhetoric inspired generations to uphold the founders’ dreams, transforming the document into a unifying force across centuries.

From Draft to Dissemination: The Declaration’s Journey

National Treasure follows the Declaration’s physical and ideological journey:

• Drafting: Jefferson composed the document in a Philadelphia boarding house, crafting a statement of principles to justify the colonies’ break from British rule.
• Signing and Dissemination: The Declaration was secretly signed and distributed during the Revolutionary War, its message spreading through a fledgling nation.
• Civil War Era: The document became a rallying point for both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, each interpreting its ideals differently.
• Preservation Challenges: In 1814, the parchment was removed from a burning Washington and hidden in a cellar. Later, it was lowered into a bunker at Fort Knox during World War II to protect it from potential destruction.
• Modern Legacy: The Declaration’s ink faded over time, prompting meticulous preservation efforts. Today, it remains a symbol of freedom, equality, and national unity.

The Declaration’s Global and Domestic Influence

Auslin’s book highlights how the Declaration’s principles have inspired movements worldwide, from suffragists and civil rights leaders to groups challenging government authority. Jefferson’s words, he argues, transcended their original purpose, becoming a beacon for oppressed peoples and a test of America’s commitment to its founding ideals.

"Even 250 candles on the nation's birthday cake cannot be as illuminating as Michael Auslin's fascinating story of the making, and

As the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, Auslin urges readers to reflect on the Declaration’s relevance today. Can its principles still unite a divided nation? The book serves as a reminder that the Declaration was not merely a call for freedom but a statement of the shared values that define America.

About Michael Auslin

Michael Auslin is the Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution. His career includes roles as an associate professor of history at Yale University and a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Library of Congress’s John W. Kluge Center. He also served as an American Heritage Partners Fellow at the Society of the Cincinnati’s American Revolution Institute.

Auslin is the author of several books on Asian and American history and writes the Substack newsletter The Patowmack Packet, which explores Washington, DC’s past and present. He resides in Virginia.