When in the Course of Human Events ...

One of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence is coming to Minnesota. This particular one is the only one that ever travels. It is one of 25 known to exist (these are the initial printed copies, so that people could see what looney thing the government had done for them that week). Holy shades of Antiques Roadshow -- this particular copy of the Declaration of Independence was found in a flea market in a $4 frame.

The note below mentions 2 copies of the original Minnesota constitution: they are both original. One has the democratic party's signatures, and one has the republicans'. Despite the fact that the texts are identical, neither party wanted to put their names on the same paper with the other party's.


Minnesota Public Radio's announcement of the event:

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one state to celebrate its 150th birthday and to assume among the powers of the earth, that that state's people should be allowed to view really really really old historical documents, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to bring to this state an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men, women, and children shall be able to view the document when it arrives in St. Paul on May 6 and stays for 12 days, that they be endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the ability to go for free, and the ability to see other important documents, including two hand-written copies of the original Minnesota Constitution.

We, therefore, do solemnly publish and declare, that the copy of the Declaration that will be displayed in Minnesota is one of 25 so-called Broadsides that were prepared by the printer John Dunlap in the days following the document's signing on July 4th, 1776.

We also mutually pledge, along with our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor, that museum officials also plan to arrange extra showings aside from the normal display hours, so groups of veterans and school children can have their own time with the exhibition.