Emily Sneff on When the Declaration of Independence Was News

About this episode

Historian Emily Sneff discusses her book on the Declaration of Independence and its impact at the time of its creation.

In this episode, historian Emily Sneff discusses her new book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News, which focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain. The book explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and across the Atlantic world and reveals the stories of the many people involved in declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators. Julie Silverbrook, chief content and learning officer at the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Emily Sneff, When the Declaration of Independence Was News (2026) “‘When the Declaration of Independence Was News’ Review: Breaking Story,” Wall Street Journal (April 3, 2026) Dunlap Broadside (First printing of the Declaration of Independence) Goddard Broadside (First printing of the Declaration of Independence with signers’ names) National Constitution Center, Annotated Declaration of Independence Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at…

People in this episode

Host: Julie Silverbrook

Guest: Emily Sneff

Topics covered

• Declaration of Independence
• American history
• communication in 1776
• founding documents
• historical narratives

Keywords

• Declaration of Independence
• Emily Sneff
• 1776
• American history
• historical communication
• founding fathers
• independence
• national documents

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Constitution Center, Wall Street Journal

Books & works: When the Declaration of Independence Was News, Annotated Declaration of Independence, Dunlap Broadside, Goddard Broadside

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