Handwriting: Declaration of Independence Edition

Honoring America 250: A Journey to Freedom 

Handwriting: Declaration of Independence Edition

Other than the occasional paperwork signing and birthday cards, I have not practiced my cursive since elementary school. I find it interesting that while I had to practice it daily back then, it is no longer a common handwriting style. Typing might be the new standard.

With July 4th coming up. I was curious to see whether I would be able to read the Declaration of Independence. Surprisingly, I was able to read it, for the most part.

Independence Day is on July 4th! But why?

On July 4th, 1776, the U.S. officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. While numerous copies are available, the original is kept at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. You will see below that there were 2 main versions of the Declaration of Independence. Even though they say the same thing, you will notice that they still look very different. 

First Version: 

Printed by John Dunlap, this is the first version of the Declaration of Independence. The letters look more like something commonly printed today than cursive, making them more legible than the next version.

[Source of the Image: National Archives Catalog 301682, Dunlap Broadside]

Second Version:

The Second Continental Congress decided to make another copy of the Declaration of Independence a few weeks later. On July 19, 1776, Timothy Matlack wrote the version that we know today. 

This style of writing was chosen for its “elegance, authority, and anonymity”. Known as English roundhand/Copperplate, this handwriting is similar to italic cursive. 

Numerous factors have caused the ink to fade. The space at the bottom used to have signatures by numerous Founding Fathers and members of the Second Continental Congress.

[Source of the Image: National Archives Catalog 1419123, Engrossed Declaration of Independence]

In case you want to try reading this version of the Declaration of Independence, here is a clearer copy.

[Source of the Image:  National Archives Catalog 1656604, Print #3 of the Declaration of Independence]

If it’s still hard to read, there are transcriptions available if you are curious about what this version of the Declaration of Independence actually says, along with the signers’ names.

✍️ Interested in Learning Different Handwriting Styles? 

Calligraphy is beginner-friendly. It combines cursive with thick downward strokes and thin upward strokes.

First, you have to choose a writing utensil. 

1. Pencil/pen: easy to control how you want your letters to look due to its fine tips, but lettering might not look as smooth since each letter will require more than one streak. 

2. Marker: medium difficulty to control, but gives you more flexibility with colors and smoothness

3. Brush pen: hardest to control. But it allows for smooth handwriting, like with markers, and higher flexibility. These are typically used for calligraphy (thick downwards strokes and thin upwards strokes).

If you want calligraphy worksheets to trace over and tips: 

https://www.uprinting.com/blog/25-free-calligraphy-practice-sheets

🕵️ Ready to Dig Deeper?

The Kelley Center is here to help you investigate, discover, and learn. Just ask: email govhelp@rice.edu or visit us in the library basement.

🔍 Continue Your Journey

Visit our exhibit, Keeping America Informed: The Enduring Partnership Between Government Printing and Libraries for Public Access (1800s–Present), to explore how America's earliest government documents were printed and how a centuries-long partnership between the federal government and libraries has helped preserve our nation's documentary heritage and ensure free equal public access to government information—an essential foundation of an informed democracy.

📅 Upcoming Workshop: Reading and Interpreting Historical Cursive Writing 

Many historical letters, diaries, government records, and archival documents were written in cursive scripts that can be challenging for modern readers to decipher. To help researchers unlock these valuable primary sources, Fondren Library plans to offer a workshop on reading and interpreting cursive handwriting for historical research this fall. Stay tuned for more information. 

About the Author

Daira Posada is Kelley Center student staff, an undergraduate student in Computer Science at Rice University. This post was written as part of the 2026 America250@Fondren program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

 The Evolution of the U.S Flag (1777-Present)

Despite not being from a military family, I learned some military customs and U.S. history through ROTC. It is a military high school-college program. One of the things I learned was our flag’s history, customs, and ceremonies. 

Some of my favorite flag-related activities in high school were raising and lowering flags every school day, teaching pre-K through elementary students about flag customs, and participating in marching flag ceremonies and competitions. 

As the United States prepares to commemorate America250—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—I have found myself reflecting on the significance of national symbols such as the U.S. flag. Through my experiences in ROTC, I not only learned about flag etiquette and ceremonial traditions, but also became interested in the history behind the flag itself. Learning how the U.S. flag evolved from the original 13-star design to today's 50-star banner has helped me better understand the nation's historical development and has given me a deeper appreciation for American history, civic responsibility, and national identity.

Flag Day is on June 14! But why?

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress established our country's first official flag. This was the “Stars and Stripes” flag, designed by Francis Hopkinson.

[Source of the Image: Library of Congress (1907), Goff’s evolution of the American flag]

Grand Union: 

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

This technically was the U.S.’s first national flag, a combination of stripes representing the 13 colonies and England’s flag. Though it was replaced a year later. 

Stars and Stripes:

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

Created by Francis Hopkinson, this was the first flag designed and adopted by the U.S. It was first carried at the Battle of Brandywine during the American Revolution. 

Betsy Ross: 

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

According to her descendants. Betsy Ross was a seamstress and upholsterer who designed numerous U.S. flags. While there is no historical evidence crediting her with this particular flag, her story has been passed down through generations.  

Star-Spangled Banner:

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

This flag was flown over Fort McHenry after a war victory against the British. Francis Scott Key, a prisoner, was inspired to write the Star-Spangled Banner after seeing the flag waving from a distance.

And Today’s Flag!

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

The flag’s colors also have significance:

• White: purity and innocence

• Red: valor and bravery

• Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice

If you look at a timeline featuring all the U.S. flags, you will notice that a lot of them look very similar, except for the fact that they have a different number of stars or are arranged differently. 

Besides the flag’s extensive history, many rules have been established to ensure it is treated with respect.

Here is a basic guideline to some of those rules:

• The flag should not touch the ground (if it does, you do not need to burn it)

• The flag should not be displayed at night unless it has a direct source of light

• The flag’s stars should be on the left regardless of whether it’s displayed vertically or horizontally. 

• When displayed with other flags, the U.S. flag should be the highest and in the right position (this depends on how you’re displaying the flag; check out the linked PDF for more information)

• Actual flags cannot be used as clothing, but clothes can have “images” or “patterns” of the U.S. flag

Flag ceremonies:

Raising/Lowering: 

Ever see flags blowing in the wind on poles outside? Since flags can only be displayed at night if it has a direct source of light, some buildings/organizations raise their flags in the morning and lower them at night.

1. Untie the rope from the post

2. Pull one side all the way down until you see the clips to put the flag through

3. Put the flag on the clips, making sure the stars are on top

4. Pull the other side of the rope until the flag is all the way up (make sure the U.S. flag is higher than any other flags)

5. Tie the rope again (make sure it’s tight; wind can easily undo the knot)

Video tutorial: Tutorial: Raising and Lowering the US Flag

Folding: 

1. Fold the flag in half horizontally twice (or more, depending on the size of the flag)

2. Then into triangles, starting on the end with stripes. 

3. When you are at the last fold, tuck in the extra fabric into the triangle (only the stars should be visible)

Tips:

• Make sure the flag doesn’t touch the ground

• At least 2 people are required to fold it.

Video tutorial: How to Fold an American Flag

Marching (usually done by military personnel/organizations): 

On special occasions, people will carry the U.S. flag plus other flags and march with them. The people who do this usually practice beforehand. Below are a few video examples of these ceremonies. 

• Posting of the Colors
• Presenting the Colors
• 2023 CCHS Chaminade Color Guard Competing at US Army JROTC National Championships

👉 🆕🧰Fondren Library Resource

Kelley Center has a new Flag Etiquette Kit to check out! Contact govhelp@rice.edu to request it for your teaching, event, or for more information about it!

Check out our Instagram video featuring Fondren Library staff and student employees demonstrating how to fold the U.S. flag.

About the Author Daira Posada is Kelley Center student staff, an undergraduate student in Computer Science at Rice University. Through her experiences in ROTC, she developed an interest in U.S. history, flag traditions, and civic education. This post was written as part of the America250@Fondren program.

Demystifying Misconceptions about the Congressional Record

 

(Source of the image: U.S. Congress. (1913, October 3). Congressional Record (63rd Cong., 1st sess.)

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. When Congress is in session, the Congressional Record is published daily. The first Congressional Record was first published in 1873 and is still published to this day! Wow, that’s about 153 years of record-keeping information!

Does that mean there are no recordings of Congress proceedings and debates prior to 1873?

Not quite! There are recordings of Congress proceedings and debates even before 1873 but they’re not classified as the Congressional Record. The names varied depending on the time period, as seen below:

• The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824)

• Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837)

• Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

These old records can all be accessed digitally through the official U.S. Government Information website at A Century of Lawmaking For a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates (1774-1875). If you prefer to browse and read these large volumes in print, consider visiting a local Federal Depository Library, which may hold paper copies. Or your local library offers interlibrary loan (ILL) services, you can also search its online catalog and request a certain volume through ILL. Alternatively, you may visit a Federal Depository Library and consult a federal depository coordinator for access assistance.

A common misconception about the Congressional Record is that they only contain texts of pure transcript and legislative text. However, this isn’t true at all. In fact, e.g. the 63rd Congressional Record (1913–1915) features a cartoon about Senator Benjamin Tillman’s “allegorical cow” (see the image above). Western and Southern farmers are shown to be feeding the cow, which represents national resources, while bankers in New York and New England are shown to be drawing away the golden milk. Try exploring the Congressional Record collection today to see what other cartoons—or any other unusual items—you can discover.

(By Andrea Nguyen, Kelley Center Student Staff, B.S. Bioengineering, Rice University, Class of 2028)

Black History in Government Records: Featuring U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 1957-Present

Documenting America in Government Records

From laws and reports to statistics and public programs, government publications offer critical evidence of history in the United States.

February

 Black History in Government Records

Featuring U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 1957-Present

[Source of the Image: Public Domain]

Have you ever wondered:

• If someone is denied the right to vote because of their race, gender, or disability, who investigates?

• If a federal policy might cause discrimination, who raises the concern? Is it the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? Or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education?

These two agencies are the most well-known when it comes to U.S. civil rights enforcement.

But behind them, there is another longstanding, quiet, yet influential federal body—the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR). For nearly seventy years, it has shaped public discussions on civil rights in America.

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How Was the USCCR Established?

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Before that, in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that public school segregation was unconstitutional. However, many states in the South resisted the ruling, delaying implementation or openly defying it.

Congress asked a crucial question: Are American citizens truly enjoying the civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution?

To investigate fairly and independently, the USCCR was set up as an independent, bipartisan fact-finding agency. Originally temporary, it became a permanent institution due to the ongoing need to address civil rights issues.

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What Does the USCCR Do?

Unlike courts or enforcement agencies, the USCCR does not judge or punish.
Its focus is investigation, documentation, and public reporting.

Key responsibilities include:

• Investigating complaints of citizens being denied voting rights due to race, color, gender, age, disability, or national origin

• Collecting and analyzing information on discrimination and violations of constitutional equal protection

• Evaluating federal laws and policies for their impact on civil rights

• Serving as a national clearinghouse for civil rights information

• Submitting reports and recommendations to the President and Congress

• Issuing public service announcements to advocate against discrimination and promote equality

In short, it acts as a “watchdog and advisor”—investigating, reporting, and providing evidence to guide policy and legal action.

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What Does the USCCR Not Do?

The USCCR does not:

• Hear or adjudicate cases

• Determine legal responsibility

• Issue legally binding orders

• Fine or punish individuals or organizations

However, if someone submits a civil rights complaint, the Commission can direct them to the appropriate government agency for further action.

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How Is the USCCR Different from EEOC and OCR?

• EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
  Handles workplace discrimination, such as unfair hiring, promotion, or termination.

• OCR (Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education)
  Oversees schools and universities to ensure students have equal access to education.

• USCCR (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights)
  Does not enforce laws directly. Instead, it investigates, researches, and reports to influence policy and legal change.
  Think of it as a national-level “civil rights watchdog and advisor.”

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Why Does This Matter to Students?

Students might care about:

• Whether voting rights are restricted

• Whether your campus is fair and accessible

• Whether students with disabilities have equal access to resources

• Whether minority groups face unfair treatment

Reports and data from the USCCR are a key resource for writing papers, conducting research, and understanding social issues.

Through these public resources, you can see:

• How civil rights issues are identified
• How the government records and responds to these issues
• How public information supports democracy and equality

For libraries, the USCCR represents a core value: transparent government investigations and publicly accessible information. Its reports, hearings, and data are essential tools for students, researchers, journalists, and the public to understand how civil rights function in reality—not just on paper.

In February, during the Black History Month, the Kelley Center presents and invites everyone to come and visit our new display featurering the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This display highlights how federal agencies have documented, influenced, and responded to Black experiences throughout U.S. history. It is part of the Kelley Center’s America250@Fondren program.Visit the program webpage to learn more about this program and explore a variety of our on-site exhibits and activities this month.

(By A.X.)

Mail Voting Alert: Understand and Get Ready for the Changed USPS Postmark Rule

U.S. Postal Service’s new rule on postmarks could affect mail voters

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has enacted a new final rule, effective December 24, 2025, which clarifies that a postmark date reflects when mail is processed at a USPS facility, not necessarily when it is dropped off. This change has significant implications for election policies in states that rely on postmarks to determine if a mail-in ballot was submitted on time.

Key Policy Change Details

• Old definition (general expectation): The postmark typically indicated the date and location where the USPS first accepted possession of the mail item, such as at a local post office or collection box.

• New definition (clarification): The official postmark date now explicitly means the date the item is first processed by an automated sorting machine, usually at a large, regional processing hub.

• The gap: Due to recent USPS operational overhauls and transportation changes, there can be a delay of one or more days between dropping off mail and its arrival at a processing facility to receive a postmark.

• Impact on elections: For the 14 states and Washington D.C. that have election laws allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if they are postmarked on or before Election Day, ballots dropped in a mailbox on Election Day might not be postmarked until the next day or later, potentially leading to their rejection. 

Recommendations for Voters
To ensure a time-sensitive document, such as a mail-in ballot or tax return, is considered on time: 

• Request a manual postmark: Take the mail item to a retail counter at a post office and explicitly request a manual, hand-stamped postmark with the current date. This service is provided free of charge.

• Use official drop boxes: If available in your area, use an official election drop box managed by local election officials to ensure your ballot is received by the deadline.

• Plan ahead: Mail time-sensitive documents several days before the deadline to accommodate potential processing delays.

• Track your ballot: Use state-specific services, like Track my Ballot (votetexas.gov) or contact your local election office, to confirm when your ballot was received and counted. 

This change has led to concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement and has prompted election officials to encourage voters to use drop boxes or mail their ballots earlier.

(by Anna Xiong, Kelley Center for Government Information and Civic Engagement and Veronica Reyna, Center for Civic Leadership)