In a historic move, some of the United States’ most significant documents are embarking on a unique journey starting Monday, as the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
Usually secured in meticulously monitored vaults at the National Archives, documents like the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which officially concluded the Revolutionary War, and the 1774 Articles of Association, which advocated a colonial boycott of British goods, are rarely relocated.
However, these pivotal documents, bearing the signatures of revolutionary figures such as George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, will soon be traveling nationwide. They will be showcased for free at local museums, offering a rare glimpse of history.
“It’s tangible history, and tangible history inspires,” expressed Jim Byron, senior adviser to the acting archivist of the United States. “These documents have not traveled, and certainly not collectively. They’ve been safeguarded in vaults until now.”
The documents will be transported aboard the Boeing 737 “Freedom Plane,” just one highlight of the numerous events planned to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This celebration is being organized by America 250, a congressionally chartered commission, alongside a separate White House-led initiative called Freedom 250. The dual efforts have stirred some debate in Washington.
Among the festivities, there will be mobile museums traversing the country, a project to collect stories, and the Great American State Fair on Washington D.C.’s National Mall. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has announced a “Patriot Games” sporting event with high school athletes, and a UFC mixed-martial arts fight at the White House.
The “Freedom Plane” is scheduled to depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday and head to its first stop in Kansas City, Missouri, where the documents will be transferred to the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The records include a rare original engraving of the Declaration of Independence printed in 1823 from a copperplate of the original; the Oaths of Allegiance signed in 1778 by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and other officers of the Continental Army; and a rare draft copy of the U.S. Constitution that includes handwritten notes by the delegates.
Other planned stops will be in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami, the Detroit suburb of Dearborn and Seattle.
“The reality that these documents are leaving D.C. and coming to the heartland is fantastic,” said Matt Naylor, president and CEO of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, where they will be on display for a little over two weeks starting Friday. “There’s a lot of excitement about that and a lot of talk in and around the city about what that means.”
Naylor said the early response has been overwhelming. Local schools have already booked visits for more than 5,000 schoolchildren.
“That’s indicating that there’s a lot of enthusiasm for this,” he said.
The “Freedom Plane” tour was inspired in part by the “American Freedom Train” that toured 48 states in 1975 and 1976 as part of the country’s bicentennial celebration. It carried various pieces of American history, including the original Louisiana Purchase documents, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of Oz and Jesse Owens’ gold medals from the 1936 Olympic Games.
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