Isabella Carter
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom, are housed in the rotunda at the National Archives. The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952, after being controlled by the State Department and displayed at various locations, including the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, DC. The documents were placed in a custom-built, bomb-and fire-proof safe and are now displayed in a climate-controlled space, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | National Archives, Washington, DC |
| Date of transfer | 13 December 1952 |
| Previous location | State, War, and Navy Building, Washington, DC |
| Date of previous display | 1876 |
| Date of transfer to previous location | After 1876 |
| Display case | Custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and-fire-proof safe |
| Exhibition hall designer | John Russell Pope |
| Exhibition hall artist | Barry Faulkner |
| Exhibition hall murals | Fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution |
| Exhibition hall completion date | October 1934 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom
- The Charters of Freedom are housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building
- The Founding Documents are free to view and are located at 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
- The Declaration of Independence was showing signs of age by 1820, so a full-size copperplate engraving was commissioned
- The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription is a document that reflects the original spelling and punctuation
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are considered the three most important documents in American history. They are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents have secured the rights of the American people for over two centuries and are deemed fundamental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. The Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are now housed in the National Archives, which was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy. The Rotunda, with its soaring domed ceiling, features two murals by Barry Faulkner depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It is not legally binding but has served as a powerful inspiration for people worldwide in their fight for freedom and equality. Abraham Lincoln, for instance, drew on its language during the Gettysburg Address, referring to the year 1776 when the Declaration was signed. The Declaration was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which later provided the foundation for the Bill of Rights.
The US Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution and outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government. The Charters of Freedom were previously controlled by the State Department and were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. They were then returned to the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, DC, where they were exhibited until 1894. The documents remained in storage until 1920, when a committee was formed to advocate for their preservation and exhibition.
In 1930, plans for the National Archives included an exhibition hall intended to house the Charters of Freedom. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at the National Archives building. In 1952, the Charters of Freedom were transferred to the National Archives in a procession of tanks and placed in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe. The National Archives now holds all the key documents of the nation's founding, and the building has become a popular attraction in Washington, DC.
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The Charters of Freedom are housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building
The Charters of Freedom, comprising the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, are housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. These documents are considered the founding documents of the United States, establishing the principles and philosophy on which the nation was founded.
The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, serves as a shrine to American democracy. It features a soaring domed ceiling and two murals by artist Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes related to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The murals were commissioned to further emphasize the intention to house and display the Charters of Freedom in this space.
The journey of the Charters of Freedom to the National Archives began in 1930 when designers for the Archives added an exhibition hall to their plans, envisioning a monumental exhibit space for the nation's most important founding documents. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover announced that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution would be exhibited at the National Archives building.
In 1952, the Charters of Freedom were officially transferred to the National Archives. The documents arrived in a procession of tanks and were placed in a custom-built, 50-ton, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe. The safe was designed with a special elevator to allow the documents to be stored securely at night and then raised into their display cases during the day.
Today, the Charters of Freedom remain on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives. Visitors can access the National Archives through guided or self-guided tours and view these foundational documents that have inspired and secured the rights of the American people for centuries.
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The Founding Documents are free to view and are located at 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
The Founding Documents of the United States of America are located at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC. The museum is situated on 701 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20408, between 7th and 9th Streets, just north of the National Mall. The Founding Documents are free to view and are exhibited in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. The Rotunda is located on the upper level of the National Archives Museum. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm, except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Founding Documents include the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are considered the three most important in American history and are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. They establish the principles of the United States and have inspired the American people for almost 250 years. The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the nation was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government, while the Bill of Rights outlines the rights of citizens and states in relation to the government.
The National Archives Museum is home to billions of historical records and documents. The building was designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy. The Rotunda, with its soaring domed ceiling, features two murals by artist Barry Faulkner. These murals depict fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, further emphasising the importance of these documents in the founding of the nation.
The Founding Documents were transferred to the National Archives in 1952, after previously being controlled by the State Department. The transfer was approved by President Truman, and the documents were placed in a custom-built, steel and concrete, bomb-and fire-proof safe. The National Archives is an independent federal agency that preserves and shares the historical records of the nation, tracing the story of the American people. Visitors can access the museum via the Metrorail, with the closest Metro stop being Archives – Navy Memorial – Penn Quarter on the Green and Yellow lines.
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The Declaration of Independence was showing signs of age by 1820, so a full-size copperplate engraving was commissioned
The Declaration of Independence is one of the United States' founding documents, expressing the ideals on which the country was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain. It is not legally binding but is considered powerful and influential, inspiring people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality.
By the year 1820, the Declaration of Independence was already showing signs of age and deterioration. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, who would later become President, took action to preserve this important historical document. He commissioned a young printer and engraver named William J. Stone to create a full-size copperplate engraving of the Declaration of Independence. Stone's task was to produce an official facsimile on copperplate, capturing the text and signatures of the original document.
Stone's copperplate engraving took three years to complete and was finished in 1823. This copperplate was then used to print copies of the Declaration. The imprint on the copperplate acknowledged Stone's work and the order from Secretary of State Adams: "ENGRAVED by WILLIAM I. STONE, for the Dept. of State, by order of J. Q. ADAMS, Sec. of State, July 4, 1823."
The 1823 Stone engraving is the most frequently reproduced version of the Declaration. It has become the version most familiar to Americans, providing a clear image of the nation's founding document and allowing people to easily read the words of the Founding Fathers and examine their signatures. Stone's engraving successfully preserved the Declaration of Independence's artistry and historical significance, ensuring its longevity for future generations to study and appreciate.
Today, the original Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, is permanently housed in the Rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Rotunda, designed by architect John Russell Pope, serves as a shrine to American democracy, showcasing these foundational documents under exacting archival conditions. The National Archives hold all the key documents of the nation's founding, making it a popular destination for visitors interested in American history and democracy.
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The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription is a document that reflects the original spelling and punctuation
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights are collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom. These documents are housed in the National Archives, in a building designed by architect John Russell Pope as a shrine to American democracy. The ornate Rotunda, with its soaring domed ceiling, features two murals by Barry Faulkner, depicting fictional scenes of the "presentations" of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
The transcription outlines the legislative powers granted to a Congress of the United States, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. It specifies that the House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, with electors in each state having the requisite qualifications. Additionally, it addresses the role of each house in judging the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members, as well as the rules of proceedings and the punishment for disorderly behaviour.
Furthermore, the transcription details the extent of judicial power, stating that it shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under the Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made or to be made under their authority. It covers various types of cases, including those affecting ambassadors, public ministers, consuls, and those involving admiralty and maritime jurisdiction. The document also specifies that in cases affecting ambassadors, ministers, consuls, and those in which a state is a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction.
The Charters of Freedom have had a long journey before finding their permanent home in the National Archives. They were displayed at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 in Philadelphia and were then returned to Washington, DC, where they were displayed in a cabinet within the departmental library until 1894. Due to fading, they were removed from display and remained in storage until 1920, when efforts were made for their preservation and exhibition. In 1930, plans for the National Archives included an exhibition hall to house the nation's most important founding documents. In 1952, the Charters of Freedom were transferred to the Archives in a procession of tanks and placed in a custom-built, bomb-and fire-proof safe.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Bill of Rights, collectively referred to as the Charters of Freedom, are archived in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
The Charters of Freedom were moved to the National Archives in 1952.
The National Archives Building is a shrine to American democracy, designed by architect John Russell Pope. It features an ornate Rotunda with a soaring domed ceiling and murals by Barry Faulkner.
The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for its separation from Great Britain.
The Constitution defines the framework of the Federal Government of the United States, uniting its citizens as members of a whole.
