Our independence. Abraham lincoln speaks out from these pages. This is a proclamation which granted freedom to the slaves. Its vitally significant in the history of mankind heading toward a higher life. The bill of rights of the constitution ensuring the right to free speech, free assembly, free religion come another reminder of the basic principles on which our america has grown strong. Here are the truths that give force to the words life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each week, American History tvs reel america brings archival films to help tell the story of the 20th century. The National Archives were established in congress in 1934. To preserve and care for the records of the u. S. Government. A 1953 film produced by the u. S. Air force for the archives which described its mission and shows how the declaration of independence and u. S. Constitution were cared for and displayed. This holds the records of the nation, the United StatesNational Archives in washington, d. C. Here are preserved documents most cherished by americans. The declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rights. And many other records that explain the institutions and history of the United States. Students, businessmen, historians, and plain citizens. It is a favorite stopping place for visitors to the nations capital. As they enter the exhibition hall, they see before them the marble shrine which was a specially built to display the three great charters that spell out liberties enjoyed by all americans. These historic documents are the declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rights. Also in the exhibition hall are the flags of the 48 states of the union. Here is the flag of california. This is the standard for oklahoma. On either side of the shrine in specially designed cases are displayed documents concerning many of the important events that led to american independence to the confederation of the american states and to the establishment of the federal union. These are some of the bestknown papers of American History. Among them are the resolution moving for independence and produced in the Continental Congress in 1776. By Richard Henry lee of virginia. The articles of confederation, the 1st constitution. The treaty of paris by which Great Britain recognized the independence of the former colonies. In on the walls on either side 1783. Are two colorful heroes, one shows Thomas Jefferson submitting the declaration of independence to john hancock in the Continental Congress. The other shows James Madison of virginia delivering the completed constitution to george washington, president of the constitutional convention. These murals are the work of the artist barry faulkner. The three great charters are carefully preserved for future generations to protect them from harmful dust and chemicals in the air, each parchment sheet has been separately sealed within a glass of bronze case containing only the inert gas, helium, and the proper amount of moisture. To shield them from damaging light rays, special yellow filters have been installed in the glass covers of the shrine and over the spotlights. 20 feet beneath the shrine, especially constructed vault provides safe storage for the documents when they are not on display or in case of fire. At a moments notice, and electrically operated mechanism will safely lower the encased documents into this massive vault. Provisions have been made for operating the mechanism should electric power fail. Thus, the National Archives has taken every possible precaution for the safekeeping of these historic documents. Here, the documents are being lowered by scissor jacks into the vault. After they are securely in place, the interlocking leads of the vaults heavy lid close. This exhibit is especially popular. Its the states of the union exhibit. For each state is shown documents or maps or pictures relating to its history. Each visitor is eager to Study Materials on his own state or perhaps on states where his. Orefathers lived there in popular. For new york, we see the deed of gift of the statue of liberty from the french people to the american people. For maryland, fort mchenry and report of its defense in 1814. Just after this, Francis Scott key wrote the national anthem. For florida, many of them maps made when spain showed early boundary lines. The treaty of 1819, which spain ceded the east and west floridas to the states. For the sum of 5 million. For utah, sketches of western scenes made by an artist who served with the Army Engineers during the survey of the great basin in 1859. These are some of the showpieces of the National Archives. Visitors find them of special interest. Showpieces are only a small fraction of the buildings content. In its 196 windowless air conditioned stack areas, are housed nearly 800,000 cubic feet of valuable federal records. In these areas are kept 1001 kinds of reports, correspondence, journals, maps, papers, legislating papers, and the like would have been chosen for preservation from the great mass of records created in the course of government business since the birth of the republic. These records are the nations are needed to protect the interest of the government and the rights and privileges of its citizens. Before records are placed in the stack areas, they are fumigated in tanks such as this one to kill insects that may have attacked them where they had previously been stored. After a thorough fumigation, they are taken out of the tank and wheeled to the far end of the room where they are cleaned. Many records, and covered with dirt and dust, which has to be removed by airbrushing. By carefully blowing compressed air over them. Some records come to the National Archives in poor physical condition. Those that have been folded are flattened. If important records show signs of serious where, it is but between sheets of acetate and laminated to seal it permanently against further damage. One of the main tasks of the National Archives is to serve the government and the people of the United States are making available to them either information in the record or the records themselves. Thousands of requests for such Services Come to the National Archives each year. Trained archivists take these requests and search the records under their care to find the required information. They may have to go through veterans records are records of precedent setting legal cases. They note down the information needed and pass it onto to the inquirer by letter and telephone or personal conference. Sometimes they suggest they come to the National Archives and examine the records themselves. Many searchers come in person to the National Archives to study the records. Some use the large Central Search room with the shelves of list and guides. A good working library and several available typewriters and microfilm readers. Here is a scholar interested in american diplomatic relations with china during the boxer rebellion of 1899 and 1900. Yes telephoned ahead to ask for the records he needs and has explained his problem the archivist in charge. The archivist has the volumes of the state departments correspondence with american diplomats in china during that period. The searcher is interested in the chinese sketch depicting events of the box rebellion, it is one of several forwarded to the state department by the american council. State Department Records are among those frequently used by scholars, both american and foreign. In addition to the many volumes, at these records contain treaties such as these with her handsome bindings, ribbons, and seals. Treaties have always been carefully preserved. They form the framework of international law. And spell out the obligations of the United States and other nations. Among interesting old documents, this agreement made in louisiana between the french and the chief of the cherokee Indian Nation in 1761. Executive orders of proclamations include papers as president lincolns emancipation proclamation and president trumans proclamation of the end of world war ii. Handsomely bound collection of revolutionary war papers, sketches showing military uniforms. A world war i poster which the nation appealed to citizens to donate binoculars. Interesting sketches in the journals of the expedition to japan in the 1850s. Maps and plans of United States military post, such as this one on Governors Island in new york harbor. This scholar is hunting for pictures for his book on early american inventors. He selects some old patent drawings of a simple hand spinning machine. And of early equipment for undersea divers to illustrate his work. This lawyer is trying to prove a land title for his client. He may want to study papers related to spanish land claims in california, treaties with indian tribes. Oer land entry papers of men who homesteaded in the west. Here in the wing of the search room is a woman who wants to trace her family history. In a veterans pension application, she finds her grandfathers marriage certificate. And an affidavit that he had served honorably in the civil war. Records on National Archives are used to protect the rights of individuals. Take the actual case of a man who could not prove his citizenship. He cannot even prove he had been born. His parents told him he was born aboard the susquehanna, an American Ship bringing the family to the United States. And their word was not legal proof. His congressman referred the young man to the National Archives to see if the ships captain had recorded the event. And archivist gave him the log of the susquehanna and in it was the entry telling of his birth. A Certified Copy of the entry provided by the National Archives is all the man needed to prove his citizenship. Military Intelligence Officers have use the valuable maps kept in special equipment in this part of the archives building. Maps made for civil purposes are helpful to the military. During world war ii, maps of the Aleutian Islands and maps showing roads and trails of the philippines prove valuable. Among the millions of photographs in the National Archives, many are of historic importance. Large photographs of world war ii catch the eyes of servicemen. Especially noteworthy is the collection of Matthew Bradys famous civil war photographs. Some recordings also are kept are the National Archives. In its library are the recorded voices of such wellknown americans as Theodore Roosevelt and franklin d. Roosevelt. The principles for which we stand are the principles of fair play and a square deal for every man and every woman in the United States. First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. In this theater, historical films are shown on request to those who need to study them. These scenes are from the inaugurations of president s mckinley and wilson. This laboratory makes reproductions of archival materials. It are as microfilm or photo stats. Here we see the making of a microfilm, a very small reproduction. Here is the photostat machine in operation. Making a reproduction of the exact size of the original. Records in great demand for research are printed on microfilm. All of the volumes on this table are reproduced on microfilm rolls in six small boxes. To those who want reproductions of the great documents, faithful facsimiles are sold out moderate prices. The emancipation proclamation, washingtons first inaugural address are a few of the National Archives facsimiles. Charters of freedom containing readable reproductions of the declaration of independence, the constitution, and the bill of rights is a popular souvenir of a visit to the National Archives. The National Archives is the custodian of the living past and a link to the unborn future. There is significance in the phrases study the past and what is past is prologue. These are beneath the statues at one entrance of this beautiful building which preserve the drama and romance of americas history. This weekend, book tv and American History tv take you on a trip across the country with the literary life of various locales including the beauty of the Point Roberts and in bellingham washington and the history of