Ulster Connection to American Declaration of Independence Commemorated
A new postage stamp has been issued to commemorate the Ulster connection to the American Declaration of Independence. John Dunlap, born in Strabane, County Tyrone, in 1747, was responsible for printing the first broadside copies of the Declaration and also fought alongside George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.
The Declaration of Independence was the document that initiated the American Revolutionary War. To mark the 250th anniversary of its signing, the Irish postal service, An Post, has created a worldwide (W) postage stamp celebrating this historic event.
The Declaration formally announced the separation of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. Dunlap’s broadside copies did not include the original signatures of the 56 signatories representing the colonies. Instead, these copies were printed by Dunlap to inform the public about the Declaration and were displayed in public places.
The Belfast News Letter was the first newspaper outside America to publish the news in August 1776. At the time, Dunlap’s printing house produced 200 copies of the broadside. Today, only 26 of these original copies are known to exist.
The new stamp features a portrait of John Dunlap along with his signature.
Who Was John Dunlap?
John Dunlap left his home in Tyrone in 1757 at the age of 10 to move to Philadelphia, where he served an apprenticeship with his uncle, a printer and bookseller. By 1776, Dunlap had established a reputation as a printer, publishing a popular weekly newspaper.
That same year, he secured a contract to print for the Second Continental Congress. On July 4, 1776, John Hancock, the president of Congress, ordered Dunlap to print the newly agreed Declaration of Independence. The 200 copies printed by Dunlap became known as the Dunlap Broadsides.
Enduring Ties Between Ireland and the United States
The US Ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, highlighted the significance of the stamp in recognizing Ireland’s role in America’s founding history.
"The stamp is a meaningful tribute to Ireland's role in America's founding story. Irish Americans fought for our independence, helped design and build the White House, served with distinction in our armed forces, and contributed to American public life and innovation. As we mark this milestone, we recognise the strong and lasting friendship between our nations," he said.
The Minister for Culture and Communications in Ireland, Patrick O'Donovan, stated that Dunlap’s story exemplifies the profound influence of the Irish diaspora in shaping key moments in global history.
"The stamp is a reminder of the deep and enduring ties between Ireland and the US. The ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence - liberty, equality and democratic self-determination - resonated far beyond America's shores and would later find powerful expression in Ireland's own struggle for independence," he added.
