The Declaration of Independence's surprising history

St. Paul, Minn. — It's hard to imagine now, but at one time the Declaration of Independence was considered obsolete. That was until Abraham Lincoln kept referring to it in the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates, and even more famously in the Gettysburg Address.

Two scholars of the Declaration of Independence throughout history talk about how understanding of the document evolved over time.

Guests

• Douglas Wilson: Co-director of Lincoln Studies Center at Knox College.
• Joseph Ellis: Professor of history at Mount Holyoke College. His most recent book is "American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies in the Founding of the Republic."

More from MPR

• Declaration of Independence coming to Minnesota
  March 26, 2008

Resources

• MPR News: Declaration of Independence coming to Minnesota
• The Declaration of Independence at the Minnesota History Center
• About Douglas Wilson
• About Joseph Ellis