Emily Sneff
@emilysneff.bsky.social
Historian of the Declaration of Independence
Curator of Digital Content @declarationstories.bsky.social
Curator of Digital Content @declarationstories.bsky.social
Pinned
Emily Sneff
@emilysneff.bsky.social
· Sep 26
Coming April 15, 2026!
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
Reposted by Emily Sneff
November 7 marks the 250th anniversary of Dunmore's proclamation. Learn about the connection between Dunmore's promise of freedom from slavery and the Declaration of Independence, found in the pages of Dixon and Hunter's Virginia Gazette.
🔗: declarationstories.org/stories/dunmores-cruel-declaration
🔗: declarationstories.org/stories/dunmores-cruel-declaration
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
November 7 marks the 250th anniversary of Dunmore's proclamation. Learn about the connection between Dunmore's promise of freedom from slavery and the Declaration of Independence, found in the pages of Dixon and Hunter's Virginia Gazette.
🔗: declarationstories.org/stories/dunmores-cruel-declaration
🔗: declarationstories.org/stories/dunmores-cruel-declaration
Reposted by Emily Sneff
Are you subscribed to Declaration Stories?
Weekly stories behind different copies of the Declaration of Independence continue on Wednesdays and daily emails with News from 1776 begin January 1!
👉 declarationstories.org/subscribe
Weekly stories behind different copies of the Declaration of Independence continue on Wednesdays and daily emails with News from 1776 begin January 1!
👉 declarationstories.org/subscribe
Subscribe — Declaration Stories
www.declarationstories.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Are you subscribed to Declaration Stories?
Weekly stories behind different copies of the Declaration of Independence continue on Wednesdays and daily emails with News from 1776 begin January 1!
👉 declarationstories.org/subscribe
Weekly stories behind different copies of the Declaration of Independence continue on Wednesdays and daily emails with News from 1776 begin January 1!
👉 declarationstories.org/subscribe
Reposted by Emily Sneff
This week's story is brought to you by the letter "C" for Collaboration!
After the war fractured his partnership with Benjamin Edes, John Gill worked alongside Powars and Willis to create a broadside of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.
declarationstories.org/stories/american-broadside
After the war fractured his partnership with Benjamin Edes, John Gill worked alongside Powars and Willis to create a broadside of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.
declarationstories.org/stories/american-broadside
October 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This week's story is brought to you by the letter "C" for Collaboration!
After the war fractured his partnership with Benjamin Edes, John Gill worked alongside Powars and Willis to create a broadside of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.
declarationstories.org/stories/american-broadside
After the war fractured his partnership with Benjamin Edes, John Gill worked alongside Powars and Willis to create a broadside of the Declaration of Independence in Boston.
declarationstories.org/stories/american-broadside
Reposted by Emily Sneff
July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—is 250 days away! Are you ready? Follow @declarationstories.bsky.social for weekly glimpses into the early history of the founding document of the United States
October 27, 2025 at 1:35 PM
July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—is 250 days away! Are you ready? Follow @declarationstories.bsky.social for weekly glimpses into the early history of the founding document of the United States
Reposted by Emily Sneff
In 1776, New England became Independent! In the title of a Boston newspaper, at least.
This week's story is about the New-England Chronicle at @bpl.boston.gov and the men who took it over shortly before the Declaration of Independence.
declarationstories.org/stories/new-england-becomes-independent
This week's story is about the New-England Chronicle at @bpl.boston.gov and the men who took it over shortly before the Declaration of Independence.
declarationstories.org/stories/new-england-becomes-independent
October 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
In 1776, New England became Independent! In the title of a Boston newspaper, at least.
This week's story is about the New-England Chronicle at @bpl.boston.gov and the men who took it over shortly before the Declaration of Independence.
declarationstories.org/stories/new-england-becomes-independent
This week's story is about the New-England Chronicle at @bpl.boston.gov and the men who took it over shortly before the Declaration of Independence.
declarationstories.org/stories/new-england-becomes-independent
Appreciate this generous perspective on The Declaration's Journey at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social from Mark Segal. At the opening last night, he told me that he was so proud as a Philadelphian and could not imagine a Declaration of Independence exhibition ever topping this one epgn.com/2025/10/14/o...
Our history: Not erased but embraced - Philadelphia Gay News
Because as our country celebrates its independence, Philadelphia stands as a living reminder that true freedom means every voice — including ours — belongs in the American story.
epgn.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Appreciate this generous perspective on The Declaration's Journey at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social from Mark Segal. At the opening last night, he told me that he was so proud as a Philadelphian and could not imagine a Declaration of Independence exhibition ever topping this one epgn.com/2025/10/14/o...
Had so much fun recording this episode with @katyghistory.bsky.social and @jeanettepatrick.bsky.social that I had to bring it to @declarationstories.bsky.social!
Much more to come about Polly Palmer in When the Declaration of Independence Was News--coming in exactly 6 months 😱
Much more to come about Polly Palmer in When the Declaration of Independence Was News--coming in exactly 6 months 😱
How do you tell the story of a copy of the Declaration of Independence that doesn't exist anymore? This week's newsletter focuses on Polly Palmer, with help from the @rrchnm.bsky.social podcast Your Most Obedient & Humble Servant
declarationstories.org/stories/miss-polly-or-myra
declarationstories.org/stories/miss-polly-or-myra
Miss Polly or Myra — Declaration Stories
Copies of the Declaration that no longer survive still have stories to tell
declarationstories.org
October 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Had so much fun recording this episode with @katyghistory.bsky.social and @jeanettepatrick.bsky.social that I had to bring it to @declarationstories.bsky.social!
Much more to come about Polly Palmer in When the Declaration of Independence Was News--coming in exactly 6 months 😱
Much more to come about Polly Palmer in When the Declaration of Independence Was News--coming in exactly 6 months 😱
Had a fun conversation this morning with Bob Allison and @revolution250.bsky.social about all things Declaration—from @declarationstories.bsky.social to the book to The Declaration’s Journey (opening this weekend at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social!)
www.buzzsprout.com/1336051/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1336051/epis...
"When the Declaration of Independence was News" with Emily Sneff - Revolution 250 Podcast
Emily Sneff, author of When the Declaration of Independence Was News explores how the Declaration spread across the colonies and the wider world—not as a sacred founding text, but as breaking news.&nb...
www.buzzsprout.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Had a fun conversation this morning with Bob Allison and @revolution250.bsky.social about all things Declaration—from @declarationstories.bsky.social to the book to The Declaration’s Journey (opening this weekend at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social!)
www.buzzsprout.com/1336051/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/1336051/epis...
In the OUP Spring–Summer 2026 catalogue:
When the Declaration of Independence Was News! 😍
When the Declaration of Independence Was News! 😍
October 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
In the OUP Spring–Summer 2026 catalogue:
When the Declaration of Independence Was News! 😍
When the Declaration of Independence Was News! 😍
Reposted by Emily Sneff
What's in the Declaration? How do you plan an event around a public reading? What has July 4 looked like over the past 250 years? These ?s and more will be answered during the Virtual Workshops for the 250th!
November 15, 2025 -- three workshops on Zoom in one day
declarationstories.org/workshops
November 15, 2025 -- three workshops on Zoom in one day
declarationstories.org/workshops
Virtual Workshops for the 250th — Declaration Stories
Join Dr. Emily Sneff to learn the history of the Declaration of Independence before the 250th anniversary in 2026
declarationstories.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What's in the Declaration? How do you plan an event around a public reading? What has July 4 looked like over the past 250 years? These ?s and more will be answered during the Virtual Workshops for the 250th!
November 15, 2025 -- three workshops on Zoom in one day
declarationstories.org/workshops
November 15, 2025 -- three workshops on Zoom in one day
declarationstories.org/workshops
Reposted by Emily Sneff
In this week's Declaration Stories, @emilysneff.bsky.social explores the work of Benjamin Towne, whose Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first English-language newspaper to print the Declaration in July 1776. www.declarationstories.org/stories/earl...
Early Intelligence — Declaration Stories
On July 6, Benjamin Towne had the Declaration of Independence before any other newspaper printers were able to share the text with their readers
www.declarationstories.org
October 8, 2025 at 11:15 AM
In this week's Declaration Stories, @emilysneff.bsky.social explores the work of Benjamin Towne, whose Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first English-language newspaper to print the Declaration in July 1776. www.declarationstories.org/stories/earl...
Fit check for Revolutionary Germantown x Red October
October 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Fit check for Revolutionary Germantown x Red October
Reposted by Emily Sneff
Did people in London really buy John Hancock's portrait "merely for the sake of hanging him up"? 😳
Learn about @jcblibrary.bsky.social's broadside of the Declaration of Independence in this week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/hanging-up-hancock
Learn about @jcblibrary.bsky.social's broadside of the Declaration of Independence in this week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/hanging-up-hancock
Hanging Up Hancock — Declaration Stories
The people who purchased the British broadsides of the Declaration were probably more interested in celebrating Hancock than hanging him
declarationstories.org
October 1, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Did people in London really buy John Hancock's portrait "merely for the sake of hanging him up"? 😳
Learn about @jcblibrary.bsky.social's broadside of the Declaration of Independence in this week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/hanging-up-hancock
Learn about @jcblibrary.bsky.social's broadside of the Declaration of Independence in this week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/hanging-up-hancock
Reposted by Emily Sneff
Book tour loading . . .
Get in touch if you want to schedule an event or see an event happen in your area! emilysneff.com
Get in touch if you want to schedule an event or see an event happen in your area! emilysneff.com
July 7, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Book tour loading . . .
Get in touch if you want to schedule an event or see an event happen in your area! emilysneff.com
Get in touch if you want to schedule an event or see an event happen in your area! emilysneff.com
Coming April 15, 2026!
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
September 26, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Coming April 15, 2026!
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
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.
Pre-order information (and discount code!) will be available in the new year.
Reposted by Emily Sneff
YES!!!!
There is an incredible amount of good history being done at the local level and in small museums--the folks who will actually engage the public during this anniversary
September 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
YES!!!!
This.
I have seven part-time/consultant positions at the moment. Any writing or peer review I do beyond those contracts--including work on my own book and public-facing project--is unpaid time.
Having to say I'm an Independent Scholar feels untrue. I'm just dependent on more than one institution.
I have seven part-time/consultant positions at the moment. Any writing or peer review I do beyond those contracts--including work on my own book and public-facing project--is unpaid time.
Having to say I'm an Independent Scholar feels untrue. I'm just dependent on more than one institution.
Something I’ve been thinking about:
History as a profession has long relied on affiliation.
Your university or museum pays your salary, and in return, you give time to edit journals, peer review articles, write book reviews, consult on exhibits, and volunteer for institutional support. 1/
History as a profession has long relied on affiliation.
Your university or museum pays your salary, and in return, you give time to edit journals, peer review articles, write book reviews, consult on exhibits, and volunteer for institutional support. 1/
September 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This.
I have seven part-time/consultant positions at the moment. Any writing or peer review I do beyond those contracts--including work on my own book and public-facing project--is unpaid time.
Having to say I'm an Independent Scholar feels untrue. I'm just dependent on more than one institution.
I have seven part-time/consultant positions at the moment. Any writing or peer review I do beyond those contracts--including work on my own book and public-facing project--is unpaid time.
Having to say I'm an Independent Scholar feels untrue. I'm just dependent on more than one institution.
Reposted by Emily Sneff
This week's story is for fans of footnotes!
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/self-evident-falsehood
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/self-evident-falsehood
September 17, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This week's story is for fans of footnotes!
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/self-evident-falsehood
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/self-evident-falsehood
Shout out to @boston1775.bsky.social for doing a deep dive on Independence Booth a few years back, when I was first digging into what is now the latest story behind the Declaration of Independence for @declarationstories.bsky.social
The Hartford Courant claims the title of the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States.
Two weeks after printing the Declaration of Independence, the Courant had news of a different Independence--a baby girl.
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/independence-baby
Two weeks after printing the Declaration of Independence, the Courant had news of a different Independence--a baby girl.
Read or subscribe: declarationstories.org/stories/independence-baby
Independence Baby — Declaration Stories
The Connecticut Courant reported both the Declaration of Independence and the baptism of Independence
declarationstories.org
September 3, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Shout out to @boston1775.bsky.social for doing a deep dive on Independence Booth a few years back, when I was first digging into what is now the latest story behind the Declaration of Independence for @declarationstories.bsky.social
Reposted by Emily Sneff
Eight stories down, many more to come!
📬 declarationstories.org to read or subscribe
Learn about the earliest printings and translations, and all the people involved in the process of declaring independence
📬 declarationstories.org to read or subscribe
Learn about the earliest printings and translations, and all the people involved in the process of declaring independence
August 21, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Eight stories down, many more to come!
📬 declarationstories.org to read or subscribe
Learn about the earliest printings and translations, and all the people involved in the process of declaring independence
📬 declarationstories.org to read or subscribe
Learn about the earliest printings and translations, and all the people involved in the process of declaring independence
Looking for a pocket Declaration of Independence? More than likely, it includes the Constitution.
It's SUPER important to read the Constitution, but for the 250th, it's also important to have handheld copies of the Declaration on its own, in its own context.
@declarationstories.bsky.social
It's SUPER important to read the Constitution, but for the 250th, it's also important to have handheld copies of the Declaration on its own, in its own context.
@declarationstories.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Looking for a pocket Declaration of Independence? More than likely, it includes the Constitution.
It's SUPER important to read the Constitution, but for the 250th, it's also important to have handheld copies of the Declaration on its own, in its own context.
@declarationstories.bsky.social
It's SUPER important to read the Constitution, but for the 250th, it's also important to have handheld copies of the Declaration on its own, in its own context.
@declarationstories.bsky.social
There are so many interesting stories about the Declaration from 1776--it will be a fun read for the 250th in 2026!
Wonderful news @emilysneff.bsky.social !
Anything interesting our followers should know about this book while we wait for the cover drop? 👀
Anything interesting our followers should know about this book while we wait for the cover drop? 👀
August 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
There are so many interesting stories about the Declaration from 1776--it will be a fun read for the 250th in 2026!
A bit of good news on a Friday:
My book exists on the OUP website 🙌
When the Declaration of Independence Was News, coming April 15, 2026!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
My book exists on the OUP website 🙌
When the Declaration of Independence Was News, coming April 15, 2026!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
August 1, 2025 at 9:42 PM
A bit of good news on a Friday:
My book exists on the OUP website 🙌
When the Declaration of Independence Was News, coming April 15, 2026!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
My book exists on the OUP website 🙌
When the Declaration of Independence Was News, coming April 15, 2026!
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Emily Sneff
A Dunlap broadside left Philadelphia in July 1776 but never reached its intended destination. It will return to Philadelphia for The Declaration's Journey at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social
This week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/full-circle
Learn more: www.jewishexponent.com/museum-of-th...
This week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/full-circle
Learn more: www.jewishexponent.com/museum-of-th...
Full Circle — Declaration Stories
Nearly 250 years after it was intercepted by the British, this Dunlap broadside is returning to Philadelphia
declarationstories.org
July 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A Dunlap broadside left Philadelphia in July 1776 but never reached its intended destination. It will return to Philadelphia for The Declaration's Journey at @amrevmuseum.bsky.social
This week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/full-circle
Learn more: www.jewishexponent.com/museum-of-th...
This week's story: declarationstories.org/stories/full-circle
Learn more: www.jewishexponent.com/museum-of-th...
“Telling Jonas Phillips’ full story is something the Museum of the American Revolution is uniquely qualified to do, and introducing people who come to the museum to this uniquely Philadelphian story is a great starting point for the exhibition.”
Museum of the American Revolution to Highlight Valuable Artifact With Jewish Connection
Explore the Museum of the American Revolution and discover the significance of the original Declaration of Independence broadsides.
www.jewishexponent.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“Telling Jonas Phillips’ full story is something the Museum of the American Revolution is uniquely qualified to do, and introducing people who come to the museum to this uniquely Philadelphian story is a great starting point for the exhibition.”