A new traveling exhibit marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the University of Wisconsin Law School Library until March 17.

Produced by the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, “250 Years of Independence: Fortifying America’s Commitment to Democracy for All” offers visitors an opportunity to engage with the formative ideas that shaped the nation’s legal foundations and continue to influence debates about democracy today.

“As the president of the ABA, I am especially excited to have this exhibit at the UW Law School,” said Michelle Behnke ’88, who helped make this possible. “Knowing our history and the effect of law on the birth and growth of our country is important. Historical perspective helps us navigate the challenges that we face now.”

The exhibit combines texts and images from the Law Library of Congress to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration, highlighting the document’s rich history and its role in shaping the rule of law from early America to the present. The banners feature stories of the founders, the drafting and writing of the text, and the document’s influence in the expansion of democracy globally.

With nearly half of the 56 signers being lawyers, the exhibit underscores the central role legal expertise played in building a new vision for freedom, equality and collective governance. It also features overlooked contributions of diverse communities whose efforts significantly influenced the course of American history and conceptions of justice and the rule of law.

From the Declaration’s revolutionary origins to subsequent challenges and shortcomings, the exhibit draws on key moments in the United States’ 250-year history in which the rule of law was tested, contested and expanded.

Submitted by Law School News on March 2, 2026

This article appears in the categories: Features