Royal delegation present at the opening ceremony. This program runs about 45 minutes. Good morning. Im james, the 13th librarian of congress. Its a great pleasure to welcome you all to the library of congress and to this event, celebrating the opening of the librarys latest exhibition, magna carta, muse and mentor. I think it is indisputable that the library of congress has a special relationship with the magna carta. We remember, of course, this institutions good fortune to have been called upon to safeguard the lincoln magna carta during world war ii. But as a repository of the accumulated knowledge of human civilization, the library of Congress Must also be acknowledged to be one of the best assets the United States possesses for participating in magna cartas greatest legacy, the preservation of the rule of law. The library began over two centuries ago as the principal reference collection for legal research, both for the congress and the United States Supreme Court. It continues to do to offer its unparalleled Legal Resources to all three branches of the United States government, as well as to the governments of foreign states. This mission, the preservation of the rule of law, is inscribed on the very walls of the building in which we are standing, the Thomas Jefferson building, in paintings, mosaics in the ceiling, statues in the main reading room. There is a wonderful quote by the englishman richard hooker. Of law, there can be no less acknowledged than that her voice is the harmony of the world. Todays program embodies the spirit, i think, of that quotation. We will hear from not only our law librarian of congress but from voices from the field of law, from our guests, from the United Kingdom, and from voices that will sing appropriately enough about the law. Beautiful voices such as we have just heard. It is my great honor now to recognize our special guests here on the stage. I would like to recognize her royal highness, the princess. I would like to acknowledge also and recognize vice admiral sir tim lawrence, my wife, marjorie, the most honorable demarcus, the right honorable sir anthony hooper. Together they represent legislative and judicial branches of the United Kingdom. Also, the very reverend buckler, mr. David mao, the law librarian of congress, and the British Ambassador to the United States. Also with us here today is sir robert worcester, chairman of the magna carta 800th anniversary celebration committee. The Group Responsible for coordinating the 800th celebration of the sealing of magna carta. My delegation from the inner and middle temples is here to represent two of the professional associations of the barristers of england and wales, lord igor judge, lord justice tomlinson, sir anthony hooper, and the reverend robin griffinjohns. So i welcome you all and im grateful for your participation in todays ceremony. This exhibition was organized by the library of congress in partnership with the lincoln cathedral, bringing magna carta to the usa. We are immensely grateful to dean Phillip Buckler for the loan of lincoln cathedrals 1215 magna carta to the exhibition. When the magna carta returns to england next year, it will be reunited for a brief commemorative event with the three other copies of magna carta that survive from 1215. Two of which are kept by the British Library. One of which is kept by salisbury cathedral. The British Library will display the four surviving manuscripts for one historic day. It will be the first time they have ever been exhibited together. The lincoln magna carta will then be moved to its permanent residence in a dedicated vault, specially constructed this year as part of the Lincoln Castle revealed project. Now, you may have noticed that the magna carta has come to the United States a full year ahead of the 800th anniversary. We are thrilled to be able to stage this exhibit leading up to the magna carta commemorations that are already in the works throughout the United Kingdom and indeed the world. Our exhibition compliments the major magna carta exhibits, exhibitions being planned in the u. K. For 2015, as it tells the story from a unique american historical point of view. Our exhibition focuses on the impact that the interpreted principles of magna carta had on our Founding Fathers and the founding documents. It explores magna cartas Strong Influence on the constitutional law of the United States. And when legal scholars and historians look back on this milestone anniversary, it is our hope that the content of our exhibition will show how one of englands most vennerated exports, magna carta, forged the u. S. British bond of law. I think you all for joining this today and and i encourage you to visit the exhibition between now and january 19. If you would please rise for the playing of the national anthems. God save our gracious queen long live our noble queen god save the queen send her victorious happy and glorious long to reign over us god save the queen o say can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there o say does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Good morning, everyone. I have the privilege and the honor of serving as the law librarian of congress. The library here at the library of congress has the largest materials,of legal now at over 2. 8 million volumes. And that collection continues to grow every year. And includes materials from all jurisdictions around the world. The exhibition which were opening to the public today, magna carta, muse and mentor, draws many of its items from the law librarys collection, including an array of medieval manuscripts, early works, judicial decisions, posters and ephemera. But the law library is just one of the many collections and items represented in the exhibition. The 77 objects in the exhibit are from the variety of library or of congress divisions, include manuscripts, prints and photographs, music, rare books, geography and math. And theyve all been brought together to recount the narrative of magna cartas influence on the constitutional foundations of the United States. The items from the library of congress collections include magna cartas past that gave rise to the charter, through the tumultuous era of the english civil war and finally to creation of the United States constitution. The lincoln cathedral magna carta which we are extremely fortunate to have on loan from england, stands as the focus of this exhibition. It occupies a Central Location at the head of the gallery and is visible as visitors enter the gallery, walk through, and when they exit, before they exit they will see it once again. This intentional design allows the document to have a double impact on the viewer, the first time set against the backdrop of interpretive materials about medieval england and the conflict between king john and the barons. And the second time illuminated by the subsequent history of magna cartas interpretation over time and its role in the rise of Constitutional Government in england and the United States. The exhibition highlights legal principles that find their roots in the 17th century interpretations of the magna carta. These principles still resonate very much with us again here today. These include the right of representative government, the right to due process of law, the right to trial by jury, protection from unlawful imprisonment and the theory of limited government. To convey a sense of our presentation and the story of magna cartas influence on american liberties to a broader audience, we partnered, the library of congress, partnered with the american bar association, to develop a traveling exhibit containing facsimiles of some of the items we are showing in the exhibition today. That traveling exhibit will visit Many American cities and be displayed at law schools, libraries, at courthouses, and at legal conferences. It will even make a special experience next year in london, in june. Next month the library will hold a symposium, conversations on the enduring legacy of the great charter. At that time, we will bring together legal scholars, practitioners of law, members of congress and the United States Supreme Court to talk about magna cartas continuing impact on contemporary legal and political thought. Its our hope that will encourage new ideas and new avenues of research. Now, id be very remiss if i did not mention that we are here today because of the initial conversations between my predecessor, roberta schaefer, and sir robert worcester. Three years ago, they had a conversation about perhaps bringing magna carta to the library of congress. And that idea took hold and blossomed into what we have today, magna carta, muse and mentor. I want to recognize the person that has been most responsible for managing all of the commemorative events here, my colleague, robert. Robert, thank you very much for agreeing to take on this task three years ago and for your work and dedication in bringing this project, this major project, to fruition. I also need to thank my colleague, nathan dorn, standing in the back, who curated the exhibition. He spent numerous hours creating standing in the back, who curated the exhibition. He spent numerous hours creating the narrative and scripting the content for the wonderful exhibit upstairs. Now, this exhibition and these events have come together as a culmination of effort from multiple divisions from the library of congress and from our partners in the United Kingdom. Theyre the product of many hands, too many to name, but all deserving our gratitude. Today the library of congress has once again the honor of being entrusted with the charter that in many ways shaped our modern Constitutional Government. This exhibitions opening marks a meaningful anniversary to the library, because 75 years ago this month, the great a hall of the Thomas Jefferson building, where we are right now, was the site of an interesting episode in the long story of the magna carta. Now i will invite the honorable demarcus to speak about it. You will be followed by the dean of lincoln cathedral. Your royal highness, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 75 years ago, in this great building, my predecessor, as British Ambassador, handed over to the library of congress for wartime safekeeping the same lincoln version of magna carta that we now welcome here once again. And im honored to be asked to recall that historic occasion in todays entrusting ceremony. Swirling around that hand over 75 years ago were the storm clouds of the second world war. Yet the event was about much more than finding this historic document wartime sanctuary. It uniquely underscored the importance of magna carta to the American People. I quote, to lie alongside its own descendants, the declaration of american independence and the american constitution. Lothing was a strong friend of america, and of its president. Winston churchill described him after his death as a high interpreter. He was also a great friend of the librarian archibald macleish. Indeed, after his unlimely death, mcleish accepted on behalf of the library and on the request of his sisters, philips death mask. On that occasion, lord halifax spoke of his life Long Association with america and his unshakeable trust in the common sense and judgment of our two peoples. Halifax believed that the choice of the library as the permanent resting place of this memorial was, and i quote, symbolic of the community of thought that belongs to those who have inherited free institutions and find in these the expression of their own love of freedom. Supreme court judge frankfurt, also a close friend, spoke too of lothians courage through the dark days of 1940. But it is his own speech at the handover on 28 november 1939, he gave a speech that best conveys his sentiments. He began almost mischievously by asking, why all this trouble, about what he described as a medieval relic. Then he gave his answer. The almost selfevident truths it pronounced have echoed through the pages of history, century after century, by individual citizens and subjects, by rebels and conservatives, by parliaments and congresses, as the sufficient ground on which to base their claim for liberty and responsibility. He continued. In its immortal words, we see the nucleus of most of our liberties. The supremacy of law over arbitrary power. The inspiration which nerved the hands of those who struck the freedom and who built the institutions which secured it. And he went on, not the findings of philosophers or the dreams, but a victory in the grim struggle of national life, for the principles of freedom from which we draw our being. Down the years, these words reilluminate the core of the relationship between the peoples of Great Britain and the United States. Too often we speak glibly of our shared values. But the simple description enshrines more concisely the beating heart of the real bond between us. And so in our time, as the dark shadows of violence and oppression grasp us yet again upon our world, may this magna carta once more lighten each of us, the inspiration to reach for the sunlit uplands of peace, liberty and justice, which must surely be our common goal. Thank you very much. [applause] your royal highness, mr. Librarian, mr. Ambassador, distinguished guests, it is my pleasure to be able to bring lincoln cathedrals magna carta to washington for this magnificent exhibition. This document has been in the possession of lincoln cathedral since late june 1215. And in recent times, it has been exhibited at home and abroad to inspire debate and reflection upon both our history and our future. Todays exhibition is doing just that. And im grateful to the law library of congress for such an opportunity. But i do want also to express further gratitude to the library and to the American People for looking after our magna carta during those dark years of the second world war. Today it returns in happier times, though the threat of terrorism and fanaticism means it still has work to do in reminding us of the principles of freedom and justice that lie at the heart of our two nations. So it is with great delight that i echo the words first spoken in this hall, 75 years ago. Mr. Librarian, i have the greatest pleasure in entrusting magna carta to your benevolent care. And now i have a key, symbolizing the cabinet in which magna carta is held. And i would invite our ambassador and the librarian to come, and i will hand over this key as a symbol of todays event. Receive this key, mr. Librarian. It is in safekeeping. Thank you. [applause] your royal highness, distinguished guests, in the center of london, on the bank of the river thames lies the 12th century Temple Church. She sits within the precincts of two of the four inns of court, the middle temple and the inner temple. The inns play a vital role in the promotion of the independent bar. In 1214 to 1215, the area now occupied by the two inns was the headquarters of king john, who on june the 15th, 1215, agreed very reluctantly to the terms of the magna carta. At the heart of the life of the temple is the Temple Church choir. The choir will now sing both in latin and english clauses 39 to 40 of magna carta. These clauses, together with others, guarantee what we today call the rule of law. Central to the rule of law is the fundamental principle that no one is above the law. This principle depends for its effectiveness upon an independent Legal Profession and an independent and impartial judiciary. In clause 39, the king promised not to take coercive measures against a person, quote, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land. In clause 40, the king promised that, quote, to no one will we sell. To no one will we refuse or delay right or justice. The words of the anthem that you are about to hear have been set to music by the american composer, nikko mule. The Temple Church commissioned him to write this music to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of magna carta. You will now hear the fourth and last movement. But if you wish to hear all four movements, which im sure you all do, then please come to the Temple Church on december the 18th this year to a concert which will be broadcast by the bbc as part of the Temple Church winter festival. As we listen to the music, in these so beautiful and historic surroundings, please let us remember that there are, all over the world, many modern king johns who deny or would deny us the rule of law. And let us also remember, in this period of remembrance, those who died so that we could live under the rule of law. The choir. [applause] [chorus vocalizing] no freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or disseeised or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or the law of the land [chorus vocalizing] [singing stops] [vocalizing resumes] to no to no to no to no one to no one will we sell to no to no to no to no one will we sell to no one will we refuse or delay right or justice [applause] thank you. That was beautiful. So we are very honored at this time to welcome her royal highness, the princess, to the library for the opening of our exhibition. She is here in her capacity as a royal bencher of the inner temple, which, as you might have heard, is a professional association of barristers that is a professional association of barristers that dates to the 14th century. Shes recently agreed to be the patron of the inner temple book prize 2015, which is a Major International prize for outstanding authorship to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of magna carta. And so we are very delighted that she has joined us, as a part of the many, many magna carta celebrations that will benefit from her involvement next year. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming her royal highness, the princess royal. [applause] mr. Librarian, distinguished guests, what can i say . What a pleasure it is to be able to join you. Its very nice to be back in washington, because of your invitation to join you at this very remarkable event, celebrating the magna carta and the muse and mentor exhibition. Just a clarification. As a royal bencher, im just i want you to know im not a professional barrister in that sense. I am purely honorary. I just want to make that point, in case you ask me questions. [laughter] but im delighted to be here. The temple and inner temple have been a really important part of the history of the freedom of law in england and in britain and further afield. Of course it reflects very much where magna carta has come from. Hugely involved in it. And were delighted to be here as a group. But were particularly pleased, the library of congress has been so supportive and so interested in celebrating the 800th anniversary of magna carta. And it is may i just add my congratulations and thanks to the library of congress for their involvement, for their diligence, for their enthusiasm, in the way that they have supported and the way they have put on this exhibition. We really are extremely grateful. And in case youre wondering, we could have been a lot later turning up for this ceremony. There was a huge amount to distract in the exhibition. I hope all of you will take a little more time to go around the exhibition, to see the context and whats happened after magna carta and the links that it has created here in america. And those shared values and the way magna carta makes those joins. This exhibition is really important. I have to say i think its timely, because we take so much for granted in terms of our freedoms and our expectations of freedoms and independence. And an anniversary such as this really are reminders how far we have come in safeguarding our liberties. Nearly 800 years ago, magna carta gave us our first concept of a society governed by the rule of law. A major step. We can remind ourselves of how difficult that has been to maintain, that integrity of the rule of law. And i think anniversaries are an opportunity to look forward to what will be happening in maybe 100, 200 years. Well still be celebrating magna carta as it reaches those milestones and its relevance in that time. And ensuring that the rule of law remains a valued concept in the future. And it is imperative for us to instill these values, this understanding, in the next generation. And it is therefore that this the exhibition is a really good starting point, as it links with the future, and particularly in educating the next generations. Education therefore is a distinct focus for the 800th anniversary commemorations. Schools and other organizations around the world will provide students not only the chance to study the historical facts of magna carta but will offer them opportunities to relate its principles to contemporary life. And here we im relieved to note that we are very much we have a very good starting point, because we are, in terms of countries, a perennial top choice for overseas study. Every year around 50,000 americans study in the United Kingdom. And around 10,000 british students come to study in the United States. And i might also mention that between us, we have all of the top ten and all but three of the top twenty universities in the world, according to the latest international rankings. And some Educational Programs planned for the anniversary include an International Essay contest for 11 to 18yearolds, a youth symposium for 16 to 25yearolds on democracy, justice, freedom and liberty. And a moot Court Contest for university students. I would quite like to sit in on that one. Law School Scholarships will be offered and countless free lectures, both in person and online, will enrich students understanding of this foundational document. And i mentioned here online. Maybe thats the biggest challenge to magna carta and the interpretation of the rule of law in the future. And something that everybody will have to grapple with in its interpretation and how it is used. There is much to look forward to. But there is a very good reason for looking back to magna carta and understanding the principles which have guided us over those centuries. So as one of the two raw benches in inner temple, the other being my father, i again congratulate you on this exhibition and thank you for raising magna carta, before next year, and in United Kingdoms terms, to help us mark the year that is ahead and the debates that will come with our celebration of the 800th anniversary of magna carta. I hope that some of you will consider joining us next year for those celebrations. But i hope an awful lot of you will take advantage of the exhibition that is here in the library of congress to learn a great deal more and to celebrate the real values of the freedoms and independence that the rule of law can give us all. Thank you. [applause] in [chorus singing] [chorus singing] hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah [indistinct lyrics] hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah [indistinct lyrics] hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah [applause] thank you very much. That was beautiful. At this time, i would like to thank the great benefactors of the library of congress, the dwight d. Opperman foundation, because it is their support that makes Educational Opportunities like this possible. An effort like this could not have been achieved without the generous donations of others. Including the Federal Reserve including First Financial bank usa, the friends of the law library of congress, bp america, the lynn and Harry Bradley foundation, the earhart foundation, the law firm of white and case llp, and the Burton Foundation for legal achievement. We gratefully recognize contributions received through the friends of the law library, from thomson reuters, raytheon company, and the british council. A complete list of all of our generous sponsors is included in your program and i invite you to please read through all of the names. At this time i will conclude the program and remind everyone that the exhibition is open now through january 19, 2015. Its a very special day. Thats Martin Luther king jr. Day here in the United States. I hope you will come many times to the library to see our exhibition. This concludes our program. I would please ask that you remain in place while the special delegation exits the hall. Thank you very much. [applause] [drum roll] [applause] you are watching American History tv, 48 hours of programming on American History every weekend on cspan3. Follow was on twitter at cspan history for information on our schedule, upcoming programs, and to keep up with the latest history news. The cspan cities to her takes book tv and American History tv on the road, traveling to u. S. Cities to learn about their history and the very life. This weekend we partnered with Time Warner Cable for a visit to waco, texas. As we began to receive the files to be digitized and saved, we began turning over that be sides of the 45s. Gospel music was not widely heard in the white community. If it was, it would only be the hits, if that. The b side would be heard and even less. Bewas incredible how many sides were related to the civil rights movement. We did not know the sheer number of songs that had very overt songs like there aint no segregation in heaven. Listening to those songs was a dangerous thing in the south. Singing that sort of song out loud, that is a risk. The texas ranger hall of fame was set up in 1976 for the 175th anniversary of the rangers. Who made 30 rangers major contributions to the service or gave their lives under heroic circumstances. We have paintings or portraits of all those rangers. They began with stephen f austin. Austin was very successful with his rangers. They fought not only managed to ,ake the area reasonably safe but when the texas war for independence broke out, the rangers played a major role and texas gaining its independence by staving off the mexican army long enough to allow the columnist to build their own army and a strategy. As a result, texas be game its own independent nation, the republic of texas, for about 10 years. Watch a lot of thence from waco on American History tv on cspan3. Next, air force academy about thetalks relationship between spanish and native in new mexico during the 17th century. United States Air Force academy. Having said that, lets get to todays lesson, we will talk about the colonization of new stephanie . [indiscernible]
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