National Archives added Emancipation Proclamation & 19th Amendment

[David Lockmiller]

The National Archives has added the Emancipation Proclamation and the 19th Amendment to the grand central rotunda of its headquarters in Washington, the first additions to its permanent display of founding documents in nearly 75 years.

The new installation had been announced during the Biden administration, with the goal of having them on view before the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this July.

After logistical delays and changes in leadership during the Trump administration, they were quietly installed last week in new marble cases a few steps away from the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

New York Times reports today (April 1, 2026)