US Historical Documents Tour Begins
A collection of major historical documents signed by George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin has begun a nationwide tour for America's 250th anniversary celebration. The initiative aims to bring foundational records of American history to diverse audiences across the country, promoting civic education and historical awareness. Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh also opened "Pittsburgh's Revolution" exhibit exploring the city's role in the American Revolution.
The "Freedom Plane National Tour" is transporting some of America's foundational records, many of which have rarely left their vaults in Washington, D.C. Among the documents making the journey are the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War, and the 1774 Articles of Association, which encouraged a boycott of British goods. This tour is a modern tribute to the "American Freedom Train" that crossed the country for the Bicentennial celebration in 1975-76. The current tour uses a Boeing 737, dubbed the "Freedom Plane," to bring these artifacts to a new generation of Americans, with scheduled stops in cities including Kansas City, Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles. The tour, a collaboration between the National Archives and the America 250 commission, will also feature a rare 1823 engraving of the Declaration of Independence and a draft of the U.S. Constitution with handwritten notes from the delegates. Oaths of allegiance signed by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr in 1778 are also part of the traveling exhibition. Meanwhile, the "Pittsburgh's Revolution" exhibit at the Fort Pitt Museum highlights the city's role as the western headquarters for the Continental Army. The display features a diverse collection of artifacts, including a rare Spanish musket used in the Revolution, the sword and pistols of General William Irvine who commanded the fort, and a letter from Patrick Henry stressing the importance of defending Fort Pitt. A centerpiece of the Pittsburgh exhibit is the original Westmoreland Battalion Flag from 1775, which predates the Stars and Stripes and bears the iconic "DONT. TREAD. ON. ME." motto. The exhibit also showcases archaeological finds from Hanna's Town, the first seat of Westmoreland County's government, which was destroyed in a 1782 attack by British and Native forces. These events are part of a nationwide commemoration for the country's 250th anniversary, officially known as the Semiquincentennial. Planning is being coordinated by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission (America250) and a White House initiative called Freedom 250, with events ranging from maritime festivals to a Great American State Fair on the National Mall.
