On 4th of July, NPR Scraps Declaration Reading Tradition For ‘Equality’ Discussion

'Signing the Declaration of Independence, 28th June 1776' - painting by John Trumbull, commissioned 1817. Oil on canvas, 12 inches x 18 inches. Thomas Jefferson and the drafting committee presenting document to John Hancock. TJ, principal author of the American Declaration of Independence and later US president: 13 April 1743 - 4 July 1826. JH, patriot of the American Revolution: 23 January 1737 - 8 October 1793. JT, American artist: 6 June 1756 - 10 November 1843. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)