NATIONAL NEWS
September 4, 2001
A Historic Road Trip
An original copy of the Declaration of Independence is touring the U.S.
 Norman Lear announced the tour in Washington D.C. |
The hottest tour this year may not star Britney or Madonna or an entertainer at all, but the Declaration of Independence! Starting this month, the most important document in American history is hitting the road. In honor of the 225th birthday of the Declaration of Independence, one of the original copies will be touring the U.S. on the "Declaration of Independence Road Trip."
 |  Kids got a look at the Declaration of Independence at the Jefferson Memorial, in Washington, D.C. in July. |
Words Into Actions
In June 2000, television and movie producer Norman Lear and his wife, Lyn, and Internet businessman David Hayden and his wife, Storey, bought an original 1776 copy of the Declaration for $8.14 million. Lear bought the original copy with the goal of bringing it directly to people in cities and towns all across America. “The Declaration's history reminds us that America is a nation of doers, a nation that transforms words into actions," said Lear of the historic document.
Birth of a Nation
Before the Declaration of Independence was signed, America was under the rule of the British government. By June 1776, Americans were tired of being ruled by and paying taxes to Great Britain and decided to become an independent country. The Declaration of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776, our nation’s birthday. In it, the 13 original American colonies officially separated themselves from Great Britain to become the United States. By July 5, about 200 copies, were rushed to various parts of the country by horseback so they could be read aloud to the people. The British government wasn’t too happy with the idea of losing these colonies, and the fight that erupted between the young United States and Great Britain became the Revolutionary War.
|  Thomas Jefferson holds the Declaration of Independence. |
A Cross-Country Tour
Today, Lear and organizers of the three-and-a-half year road trip want to spread the word all over again. They want the tour to bring the document “directly to the American people -- especially young people – to inspire them to participate in civic life, to exercise their rights, and above all, to vote.” The road trip will take place in two parts. The first part will last from September 2001 until June 2003. During this time, the document will be displayed in four different presidential libraries, and will be the main attraction at the Cultural Olympiad exhibit at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
During the second part of the trip, the document will visit at least 25 U.S. cities. This tour begins in July 2003 and lasts until November 2004. During both parts of the tour, the declaration will be joined by other displays that will tell the story of its creation and how it influenced people during the struggle for human rights all over the world.
To learn more about the tour visit the Declaration of Independence Road Trip website.
