Summary: The Declaration of Independence is often remembered as the document that announced America’s separation from Great Britain. But for nearly 250 years it has also served as a touchstone for debates about liberty, equality, citizenship, and national purpose. In this conversation, Tony Williams discusses his new book on the Declaration and the generations of Americans who have argued over its significance. From the founding era and the struggle over slavery to debates about suffrage, empire, civil rights, and the nation's future, Williams shows how the Declaration’s principles have been invoked by people across the political spectrum. The result is a conversation not only about a historic document but also about the enduring questions Americans continue to ask about who they are and what kind of country they hope to become.
