German Declaration of Independence Displayed in Berlin for U.S. 250th Anniversary

A unique German-language version of the Declaration of Independence, produced in 1776 for German-speaking settlers, is now on exhibit at the German Historical Museum in Berlin in anticipation of the United States' 250th anniversary. This document, one of just two remaining copies, was printed by the Philadelphia company Steiner and Cist using a gothic typeface for better readability. Acquired by the museum in 1993 for over a million German marks (approximately $550,000 today), it represents shared democratic principles following German reunification. Curator Wolfgang Cortjaens described it as one of the most valuable items in the collection, reflecting Western democratic ideals. The second existing copy is located at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.