In conjunction with The Declaration of Independence Display we invite you to join us for a special event!

Redeeming the Promise of the Declaration of Independence: Louis Austin, the Black Press, and the 20th Century Freedom Struggle

The preamble of the Declaration of Independence proclaims that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” During the 20th century, Louis Austin, editor and publisher of The Carolina Times in Durham, used the power of the press, to make those words real, as he exposed and challenged racial injustice and racial segregation, on the page, in the streets, and in the courtroom.      

Join us at the Durham County Main Library on September 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. as Professor Jerry Gershenhorn explores Austin’s powerful legacy, presented in conjunction with the special display of the Declaration of Independence, brought to the library in partnership with Duke University’s We the People initiative. Together, we will examine how Austin’s legacy of speaking "The Truth Unbridled," and challenging racial injustice transformed local activism into a masterclass in constitutional accountability, and why his battle for equality remains a model for building democracy today.

Read With Us

US Constitution/Declaration of Independence Childrens' Booklist 

US Constitution/Declaration of Independence Adult Booklist 

Full Durham Schedule

To maximize access across the region, the documents are hosted in two Durham spaces:

• Durham County Main Library: September 8 – September 20, 2026
• Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University: September 24, 2026 – January 3, 2027 - click here for more information

The Declaration of Independence is organized in collaboration with Duke Arts and the Nasher Museum of Art and is part of We the People: A Duke & Durham Initiative that marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through a series of public events examining the nation’s evolving identity. Three historic copies of the Declaration of Independence are on loan from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection. Leadership support for We the People has been generously provided by David M. Rubenstein. 

Information on Entering Main Library

Parking is available in the library parking lot or at the North Queen Street Garage located at 115 North Queen Street which is behind the apartments directly across the street from the library.