Museum of the American Revolution Announces Schedule, Featured Scholars for The Declaration's Journey: A Convening on the International Legacy, Sept. 25 – 26

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Museum of the American Revolution created The Declaration’s Journey, a landmark exhibition that traces the evolution and global legacy of the Declaration since 1776. To further explore the international impact of this founding document, the Museum will host a free, two-day conference, The Declaration's Journey: A Convening on the International Legacy, from Sept. 25 – 26, 2026.

Join us for this exploration of how the Declaration influenced other independence movements in the 250 years since its adoption. The convening, which is part of a two-year project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that also includes educational and digital initiatives, will bring together scholars from around the world to share their insights and expertise through panels, roundtables, and two focused lectures. Attendance is free with registration, and all sessions will be held live at the Museum as well as livestreamed online.

Speakers will share their work, perspectives related to The Declaration’s Journey exhibition and participate in lively discussions with onsite and online audiences. Sessions will highlight independent scholarship and include experts providing new insights on the Declaration as well as on its legacy as it relates to independence movements in Europe, West Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

The convening will include opening remarks from Matthew Skic, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum, as well as a roundtable featuring guest curators Dr. Philip Mead, Dr. Emily Sneff, and Dr. Amy Noel Ellison on the making of The Declaration’s Journey.

“The research and scholarly consultation involved in developing The Declaration’s Journey made it clear that the international impact of the Declaration of Independence is not only a captivating story to share with the world for America’s 250th, but also an exciting area of new research and future study,” said Skic, who also served as Project Director for the exhibition. “This convening is the product of that excitement, and it is an opportunity to highlight existing scholarship and reveal the promise of what scholarly opportunities lie ahead.”

The final convening schedule was curated in conjunction with a program committee of renowned scholars, including Sneff, who will also present on “The Declaration’s First Travels”; Dr. Caitlin Fitz, Associate Professor at Northwestern University, who will chair a session related to the Declaration and Latin American Independence; Dr. Eliga Gould, Professor at University of New Hampshire, who will chair a session on new insights on the Declaration and provide the Friday lunchtime keynote lecture on “Peace and Independence: The Forgotten History of the United States’ Founding Treaty”; and Dr. Chris Suh, Associate Professor at Emory College, who will chair a session related to the Declaration and Asian Independence Movements.

“Past major anniversaries for the Declaration of Independence have created opportunities for new scholarship and discourse, and the 250th is no different,” said Sneff, a leading expert on the Declaration. “The Museum of the American Revolution is uniquely positioned to convene a wide-ranging exploration of the Declaration’s legacy and influence, giving greater context to the objects on view and visitors’ experiences walking through the exhibition.”

Other session highlights include:

Dr. Ronald Angelo Johnson, Ralph and Bessie Mae Lynn Chair of History and Associate Professor at Baylor University, will provide the Saturday lunchtime keynote lecture on “Diplomacy and the Declaration; Haiti’s Contribution to the American Revolution.”

Dr. Sarah M.S. Pearsall, Historian and Professor at Johns Hopkins University, on “Pursuing Happiness in the Revolutionary Atlantic.”

Dr. Csaba Lévai, Associate Professor at the Department of History of the University of Debrecen, on “Two Revolutions and Two Declarations: The Different Fates of the American and the Hungarian Declaration of Independence.”

Dr. Daniel Gutiérrez Ardilla, Historian and Professor at Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia), on “Knowledge and Emotion: Columbian Independence in the XXI Century.”

Dr. Juman Kim, Assistant Professor at Townson University, on “The 1919 First Korean Congress in Philadelphia: Decades of Korean-American Engagement and the Contested Legacy of 1776.”

Dr. Jeremy Popkin, Professor Emeritus at University of Kentucky, on “The Declaration and the French Revolution.”

Attendance is free, but registration to join onsite or online is required. Full-conference as well as single-day registration is available. Attendants will also receive free Museum and The Declaration’s Journey admission during days registered. Find more information, including a full conference schedule and a link to register on the Museum’s website.

The Declaration's Journey: A Convening on the International Legacy is made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

About the National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.   

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.