One of only two ceremonial parchment copies of the American Declaration of Independence has been found in Sussex. The rare artefact was discovered neatly folded away in the West Sussex Records Office in Chicester, where it had been stored for more than 50 years before it was tracked down by Harvard University academics. After rigorous testing, the parchment has been certified as authentic – just in time for the 242nd anniversary of its signing on 4 July 1776. ‘Terrific news’ “This is such terrific news about the Sussex Declaration,” Louise Goldsmith, leader of West Sussex County Council, said. “We have...