The Pen is Mightier

The Declaration of Independence summarized the colonists’ motivations to seek independence from Great Britain and is seen as the first formal statement of a nation’s intention to choose their own form of government. This exhibit not only highlights the influencers and communication techniques used for this historical period including song, music, maps, and the written word, but makes connections to Utah’s contributions and the communication and technology used today.

The exhibition illustrates the risks early leaders took to safeguard democratic ideals and underscores how both bold expression and quiet secrecy were essential to shaping the nation’s founding. While some ideas of democracy were shared publicly, others had to be carefully protected.