NorseMap contributes to BBC feature exploring the origins of the US Declaration of Independence language and how a Viking word is hidden in it

15 Jun 2026

Happening On 06/07/2026

'Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness'

The iconic words of the Declaration of Independence reveal thousands of years of people grappling with how to live well together, and the power of language to turn those ideas into action.

Professor Tom Birkett, PI of NorseMap and Professor of Old English and Old Norse, contributes to this BBC feature exploring the origins of the Declaration's language.

From Roman ideas of liberty to Old Norse concepts of happiness, the article traces centuries of linguistic and cultural exchange that helped shape one of history's most influential political texts.

Full text available here.