Omar Bennett
The US Constitution document is protected from wear and tear by being kept in inert argon, at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink. The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, but has assured the public that the encasements would survive a building collapsing around them. Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, has said that it might be easier to simply lock the documents away, but displaying the Charters of Freedom and other founding texts is essential.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 40% |
| Temperature | 67 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Gas used | Inert argon |
| Government secrecy | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- The government keeps the documents in encasements that can survive a building collapsing around them
- The documents are stored in a room with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink
- The documents are displayed to the public, as Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, says that 'we keep artifacts because they are like witnesses to the past'
- The rule of law is key to protecting the Constitution, with federal judges explaining that citizens' consent to following the law protects our rights
- The separation of powers between the three branches of government helps to protect the Constitution
The government keeps the documents in encasements that can survive a building collapsing around them
The US Constitution is one of three documents collectively known as the Charters of Freedom. The government keeps the documents in encasements that can survive a building collapsing around them. The exact details of the security measures are kept secret, but we do know that the documents are kept in inert argon, at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, has said that it might be easier to simply lock the documents away, but displaying the Charters of Freedom and other founding texts is essential.
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The documents are stored in a room with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink
The US Constitution document is stored in a room with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink. This is part of a wider $5 million project to study and conserve the documents, which was completed in 2003. The documents are displayed as part of the Charters of Freedom, and Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, says that displaying these documents is essential.
The US government won't reveal the secrets of document security, but they have assured the public that the documents are safe. For example, they have said that a building could collapse around the encasements and the documents would survive.
The inert argon in the room is essential to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. This is a common problem with old documents, and the argon is used to replace the air in the room. This is a highly effective method of preservation, and it is used in many archives and museums around the world.
The temperature and humidity levels are also carefully controlled to ensure the best possible preservation of the documents. This is a delicate process, as too much humidity can cause mould, and too little can cause the parchment to become brittle. 67 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the optimal temperature for preserving documents, and this is maintained year-round.
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The documents are displayed to the public, as Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, says that 'we keep artifacts because they are like witnesses to the past'
Janice Stagnitto Ellis, senior paper conservator at the National Museum of American History, says that displaying the Charters of Freedom—as those three documents are collectively called—and other founding texts, is essential. She says, "We keep artifacts because they are like witnesses to the past".
The documents are displayed to the public, but the government won't reveal the secrets of document security. However, it has been revealed that inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, replaces air to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink. The documents are also kept in encasements that are said to be able to survive a building collapsing around them.
The Charters of Freedom are displayed to the public, but they are also protected by being kept in encasements that can survive a building collapsing around them. The air around the documents is replaced with inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink.
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The rule of law is key to protecting the Constitution, with federal judges explaining that citizens' consent to following the law protects our rights
The US Constitution is protected through a combination of conservation and security measures. The document is kept in an environment of inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid oxidation of the parchment or ink. The government is tight-lipped about the other security measures in place, but it has been assured that the encasements would survive a building collapse.
The rule of law is key to protecting the Constitution. Federal judges explain that citizens' consent to following the law protects our rights in everyday situations. The key to the rule of law, judges say, is a commitment to applying laws fairly to everyone. The US Constitution is governed by a system intended to ensure order and to protect citizens through laws and processes to enforce those laws. This is often referred to as 'the rule of law'. All people in the United States, including refugees, are protected by these laws and are responsible for knowing and following them.
The US Constitution has 27 amendments, which protect people's rights. The Fourteenth Amendment, for example, prohibits states from making or enforcing laws that violate the rights provided by the Constitution. The legislative, judicial and executive branches of the federal government have various discretionary powers. However, the legislative branch must stay within its enumerated powers and respect the constitutionally protected rights of individuals.
Federalism, separation of powers, and the rule of law are the heart of the American Constitution. Nine federal judges offer insights into the separation of powers among the branches, explaining how healthy tensions among the three branches produce outcomes that impact everyday life in America.
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The separation of powers between the three branches of government helps to protect the Constitution
The US Constitution establishes three separate but equal branches of government: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. This separation of powers was designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to create a system of checks and balances.
Each branch has its own unique and identifiable functions. The legislative branch, which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for making laws. The executive branch, which includes the President, Vice President, and their advisors, enforces the law. The judicial branch, or the Supreme Court, interprets the law and rules on whether actions taken by the other two branches are constitutional.
Under this system of checks and balances, each branch has the power to limit the power of the other branches if needed. For example, while Congress makes the laws, the President can veto them, and the Supreme Court can declare them unconstitutional. Similarly, the President enforces the law, but Congress must approve executive appointments, and the Supreme Court rules on whether executive action is constitutional.
The separation of powers between the three branches of government, therefore, helps to protect the Constitution by ensuring that no one branch becomes too powerful and that the liberties of the governed are protected.
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Frequently asked questions
Inert argon, kept at about 40% humidity and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, replaces air to avoid oxidation of parchment or ink.
The government won't reveal the secrets of document security, but they have assured the public that a building could collapse around the encasements and the documents would survive.
See above.
See above.
See above.
