Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America

This book is about Stephen Pleasonton, who was an office clerk in the White House in 1814. He handled all kinds of documents and recordings for the United States government.

A letter was sent to him by James Monroe stating that he must remove all the records before they were burned to ashes by the redcoats. But it wasn’t anything like today’s records, which we can save on a hard drive or in the cloud. Each piece of parchment or paper had to be rolled carefully without rips or tears and then stored safely for transport.

Pleasonton filled the wagons of nearby farmers and merchants full of sacks and sacks of documents. He convinced them to haul this precious cargo safely out of Washington. He went back to his office one last time to check if anything had been left behind. Imagine his horror when he discovered the original Declaration of Independence, the document that began the US, still hanging on his wall! To find out what happens next, you’ll have to read this awesome book.

I recommend this book for anyone aged seven and up who loves history or a good suspense story.