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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the original 1776 copies of the nation’s Declaration of Independence will be in Louisville for a public viewing this fall. 

The document, which television producer Norman Lear owns, is one of 25 known original copies of our country’s “birth certificate” still remaining. It will be on display for free at the public library’s main branch Oct. 16-Nov. 3 as an early stop on a national tour. 

“We are delighted” that the document will be displayed in Louisville, said library director Craig Buthod. 

Buthod said he’s been discussing the document’s appearance in Louisville for more than a year with a nonprofit group called the Declaration of Independence Road Trip, which Lear set up to give the document public exposure. 

Ashley Mowrey, a spokeswoman for the tour, said the cities that will be included will be announced July 4, but Louisville will be the fourth stop. 

On the night of July 4, 1776, about 200 copies of the newly drafted Declaration of Independence were printed by John Dunlap of Philadelphia. The copies were circulated throughout the colonies.