Welcome Remarks Independence Day Ceremony
Good morning!
It’s great to see you here today on the 247th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Welcome to the National Archives July 4th celebration. This is my first 4th of July ceremony as Archivist of the United States. And I have to say it is a thrill to be here with all of you.
A big thanks to Allison Seymour for joining us again this year as emcee of our festivities and special greetings to those of you who are watching the celebration via live stream.
One of my greatest honors and responsibilities as Archivist of the United States is serving as the steward and protector of our nation’s founding documents. This includes the Declaration of Independence which is right through those doors behind me.
And one of the perks of my job is that I get to see the Declaration on a regular basis. In fact, I make it a point to walk past it every day that I work inside this building. To me, it is the most important document on display. It is truly the foundational record of our country’s existence; it is our origin story.
In the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson and his co-authors issued the most audacious statement in the history of humanity. This is, of course, the proclamation that “all men are created equal.” Before Jefferson and other like-minded thinkers of his time, individuals didn’t have intrinsic rights guaranteed by government. It’s truly revolutionary in every sense of the word.
This phrase–– “all men are created equal” ––has been analyzed for almost 250 years. The most frequently asked question concerns inclusion. Is the Declaration for everyone–––including women, those who were enslaved, and people of all origins and backgrounds?
I strongly believe the answer is yes. Jefferson’s remarkable statement did not reflect the reality of the time, but it should be viewed as a promise for all human existence.
Now, did you ever wonder how the Declaration ended up here in the National Archives?
The Declaration of Independence has traveled a great many miles in its 247 years.
This parchment document was signed by our Founding Fathers in 1776 in Philadelphia. It then moved with the Continental Congress from city to city: from Philadelphia to Baltimore to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and finally to Princeton, New Jersey.
After the Revolutionary War, Congress first met in Annapolis and then Trenton. From 1785 to 1790, the Declaration’s home was in New York City.
In 1789, the Secretary of Congress transferred the document to the Secretary of State. The Declaration then moved with the federal government to Philadelphia and at long last, it arrived at its final home, Washington, DC, in 1800.
During the War of 1812, a clerk at the State Department, Stephen Pleasanton, wrapped up the Declaration of Independence and other important documents in a linen bag, put them in a wagon, and hid them.
The next day, Washington was burning, including the White House. But the Declaration was safe and hidden in nearby Virginia.
In the 1800s, the Declaration of Independence was placed on exhibit for long periods of time. In fact, it hung directly opposite a window for over 30 years. This is one of the main reasons why the Declaration is faded today.
In 1921, President Harding signed an order transferring the Declaration and the Constitution to my former home, the Library of Congress.
Just before the United States entered World War II, both documents were on the move again. This time they were sent to Fort Knox for safekeeping, where they remained until September 1944, when they returned to the Library of Congress.
At long last, these documents came to their final home here at the National Archives on December 13, 1952. As part of a major parade, military personnel transported the Declaration and the Constitution from the Library of Congress down Constitution Avenue and up the steps to the Archives Rotunda.
After the ceremony, I invite you to come inside our cool, air-conditioned building and view the Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, for yourself. In the coming years, we will add the Emancipation Proclamation to the Charters of Freedom, and it will remain on permanent display inside the Rotunda, as well.
These are your founding documents. The National Archives serves as proud stewards of these treasures, but along with the other 13 billion records we protect and preserve, they are owned by you - the citizens of the United States.
A few reminders before I introduce our keynote speaker.
You can share your pictures and stories from your Fourth of July experience at the National Archives by tagging us at @usnatarchives on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #ArchivesJuly4.
You can also add your own John Hancock to the Declaration of Independence at our signing booth inside. And although we don't normally allow photography in the museum, we have made a 4th of July exception for you to snap a photo with one of our special historical guests today inside. Both of these activities are in the Boeing Learning Center.
Now, I would like to introduce our keynote speaker. This morning, I am honored to welcome NFL legend Doug Williams. Doug really needs no introduction here in Washington, DC. But for those who may need a reminder, he is best known for his performance with the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII against the Denver Broncos, where he was named Super Bowl MVP. He was the first black quarterback to both start and win a Super Bowl. Doug is a veteran of 21 NFL seasons, including 9 as a player and 12 in scouting/personnel roles. Presently he is the Senior Advisor to Washington Commanders President Jason Wright. In his role, Doug leverages his vast experience to provide counsel on all matters pertaining to the establishment of a new, modern identity for the team.
Please join me in welcoming Doug Williams to the National Archives