The birth of our nation and the birth of Idaho as the 43rd state occurred 114 years apart, nearly to the day. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. On July 3, 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed the Idaho Admission Act, admitting Idaho as the 43rd state to the Union. In countless ways, the world and the country underwent dramatic changes over those 114 years, but the thread of the democratic process and representative government remained constant. In both cases, representatives worked collectively on the creation of these essential documents in committee to best reflect the broad scope of the voices they vowed to represent. These processes reflected urgency and negotiation, but most importantly, they represent a moment of collective vision and a celebration of revolutionary ideals. And both moments, separated by more than a century and rooted in distinct historical contexts, reveal the profound importance of gathering multiple voices when forging the blueprints of governance. 

The drafting of the Declaration of Independence unfolded during a period of intense crisis and accelerated decision-making. On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed the Committee of Five—Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston—to draft a statement justifying the colonies’ break from Britain.1 Jefferson, chosen for his eloquence, wrote the first draft in relative isolation between June 11 and June 28, 1776, in a rented room near Independence Hall.2 He then shared his draft with Adams and Franklin, who suggested edits, before the committee presented it to Congress on June 28. Over the next several days, Congress debated and revised the document, finally adopting it on July 4, 1776.3 

The entire process—from committee appointment to adoption—spanned less than a month. The compressed timeframe reflected the urgency of the political moment, as British forces gathered and the colonies teetered on the brink of war. Despite the short timeline, the Declaration emerged as a beacon of revolutionary ideals, expressing the hopes and convictions of those gathered in Independence Hall. The voices present, though representative of their time, came together to articulate principles that would inspire generations and ignite movements for freedom and equality worldwide.  

While the Declaration reflected the perspectives of its authors and signers, it also planted the seeds for future expansion of rights and inclusion. The phrase “all men are created equal” became a rallying cry for those who would later fight to broaden the document’s vision, demonstrating the enduring power of foundational texts to inspire progress. The democratic process of its creation via committee also influenced the creation of other foundational documents, including Idaho’s state constitution. The Idaho Constitutional Convention convened in Boise City on July 4, 1889, and concluded on August 6, 1889, lasting just over a month4. Seventy-two delegates from eighteen counties gathered to draft the state’s foundational law, a process shaped by the unique circumstances of Idaho’s territorial status and the absence of a Congressional enabling act.5  

Unlike the drafting of the Declaration, which centered on a single committee and a lead author, Idaho’s convention relied heavily on standing committees. These committees, each assigned to specific subjects, drafted reports and articles that were then debated and amended in the full convention. Throughout more than 150 sessions, the delegates considered hundreds of documents, proposed more than 1,100 amendments, and made more than 2,100 decisions before ratifying the constitution.6 The convention’s structure allowed for a broader—though still limited—range of perspectives. Delegates represented diverse regions and interests within Idaho, and the committee system fostered debate and compromise. Despite that the voices present were overwhelmingly male and white, reflecting the demographics and power structures of the time, the committee system encouraged thoughtful discussion, compromise, and the blending of ideas. This process strengthened the final document and set the stage for Idaho’s successful transition to statehood. 

Both the Declaration of Independence and Idaho’s constitution were products of their moments—shaped by urgency, political realities, and the boundaries of who was allowed to participate. Yet, their legacies underscore a vital lesson: founding documents are strongest when they reflect the full complexity of the societies they serve. As historians and public servants, we have a responsibility to advocate for processes that welcome a plurality of views. This means not only inviting multitudes of participants to the table but also ensuring that their contributions shape the final product.  

The work of historians, whether contextualizing the debates of 1776 or those of 1889, reminds us that every document is a product of its time and its authors. Our task is to recover the voices left out, to understand the debates that shaped the text, and to utilize that knowledge to inform policymaking today. The legacy of these documents extends not only to their words but also to the examples their creation set for future generations. They encourage us to continue expanding the circle of participation, welcoming new perspectives, and recognizing that the strength of our institutions lies in their ability to reflect the full complexity and promise of the communities they serve. The drafting of the Declaration of Independence and Idaho’s constitutional convention remind us that the process of creating foundational texts is itself a cause for celebration, one that our agency, along with other stakeholders across the state, is preparing to execute throughout the following year. You can learn more about the state’s plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at www.america250.idaho.gov.  

Written by HannaLore Hein

Bibliography

Colonial Williamsburg. “Expanding Our Perspective of the Declaration of Independence,” July 8, 2025. https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/discover/moments-in-history/making-a-nation/expanding-our-perspective-of-the-declaration-of-independence/. 

“Declaration of Independence Timeline – Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/resources-declarationofindependence.htm. 

National Archives. “Creating the Declaration: A Timeline,” November 6, 2015. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/timeline. 

National Archives. “Declaration of Independence (1776),” April 8, 2021. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/declaration-of-independence. 

Philadelphia, Mailing Address: 143 S. 3rd Street, and PA 19106 Phone: 215-965-2305 Contact Us. “The Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence – Independence National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service).” Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/resources-declaration-secondcontinentalcongress.htm. 

“Quill Project.” Accessed July 8, 2025. https://www.quillproject.net/.