As one of America's most treasured documents, the U.S.
Constitution has always attracted its fair share of admirers. But on a
wintry December morning in 1952, the historic piece of parchment was the
toast of a ceremony fit for a king.
Escorted by
an entourage of armed service members and military personnel, the
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence paraded down
Pennsylvania Avenue in an armored vehicle to their final resting place
in Washington, D.C.'s,National Archives building.
For
nearly five decades, the two documents, along with the Bill of Rights,
were enshrined in a helium-sealed glass case in the building's rotunda.
Over the years, tens of millions of tourists have lined up to see the
famous handwritten papers, which gave birth to our nation more than 200
years ago.
On July 4, 2001, the trio welcomed
their final visitors at least for awhile. A few days later, they were
transported to a secret laboratory for a historic makeover.
There,
a staff of conservators, or experts in the care of old documents,
carefully examined each document letter by letter. They used special
glue to secure any loosened flakes of ink. They repaired old tears and
erased dirt and other substances.
In September
2003, the historic documents returned to the newly renovated rotunda,
where they once again went on public display. They rest in air-tight
metal cases that are illuminated with fiber-optic lighting.
Now
safely encased for generations to come, the U.S. Constitution remains
as powerful today as it was when the Founders first penned it two
centuries ago.
"Here's a document that's
over 200 years old and only four pages long," says Lee Ann Potter, head
of education and volunteer programs at the National Archives. "It set up
a government that still works. It's the longest-lasting national
constitution in the world. It's remarkable."
For more information about Constitution Day, visit the National Constitution Center's Web site at www.constitutioncenter.org.