WHAT WAS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE?
David Gergen, editor-at-large at “U.S. News & World Report,” engages Pauline Maier, a Professor of History at MIT, author of “American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence.” DAVID GERGEN: Professor Maier, the central point in your book seems to be that the Declaration of Independence we celebrate today has become something very different in our minds from what it was originally. Lets go back to 1776, and tell us what it was originally. PAULINE MAIER, Author, “American Scripture”: The Declaration of Independence originally was an explanation for a decision that Congress had made two days earlier in favor of independence. On July 2nd, Congress actually adopted resolutions that proclaimed or made the united colonies free and independent states. Congress then went through two days editing this document. What it was, was in some measure a press release. I mean, it was an announcement to the American people of this terribly important decision that Congress had made. And when Con
