Another Declaration of Independence

At the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention—the first formal women’s rights convention ever held in the United States—organizers delivered an address patterned on the Declaration of Independence. Their Declaration of Sentiments included a simple adjustment to Jefferson’s phrasing: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.” With these words, women’s rights advocates asserted that political equality aligned with the nation’s founding principles.

Our curators discuss the Seneca Falls Convention and the Declaration of Sentiments with Dr. Judith Wellman, Professor Emerita from the State University of New York at Oswego and Director of Historical New York Research Associates.

This event is for teachers, students, and their families—and everyone with an interest in history! Everyone who registers will be sent a Zoom meeting link and instructions in the confirmation email. PD certificates will be sent to all who attend the entirety of the program. Please add the Gilder Lehrman Institute to your email safe sender list. For more information, please contact us at collectionprograms@gilderlehrman.org.