Rescuing the Declaration of Independence
In Rescuing the Declaration of Independence, Emmy Award–winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding and Sibert Honor illustrator Edwin Fotheringham bring to life the riveting true story about the lowly clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence from being destroyed by the British army in the War of 1812.
As a clerk for the State Department, Stephen Pleasonton spent his days quietly immersed in paperwork. He certainly never expected to receive an urgent message telling him that the British army was on its way. And that the documents entrusted to Stephen – such as the original Declaration of Independence and the original Constitution – were all in danger!
It fell on Stephen to get our nation’s most cherished and priceless artifacts safely out of Washington!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
These words helped found our nation. Today the Declaration of Independence acts as one of the United States’ most heavily guarded treasures. However, during the War of 1812 enemies would have destroyed it.
That is – if not for one man whose story we have nearly forgotten with time. Come along on this historic nonfiction adventure and learn how one ordinary clerk did a truly extraordinary thing.
- This visually stunning book provides an excellent read-aloud for children ages 5 to 7. Heart of Dakota’s Little Hearts for His Glory teacher’s guide schedules this Visual History Set book. The guide also includes follow-ups for this book in the Picture the Past box of plans.
