History takes flight: America’s founding documents touch down in Miami

MIAMI — Several pieces of American history are in South Florida.

A specially-designed ”Freedom Plane” is bringing the country’s original founding documents across the U.S. as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

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National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden explained how the documents are traveling in style, in temperature-controlled cases inside the passenger cabin of a Boeing 737 donated to the foundation for this national tour.

“For the first time, nine original documents from the holdings of the National Archives vault have traveled to Miami,” said Madden. “I think the number one thing people are going to be excited to see is the copy of the Declaration of Independence.”

Miami is one of just eight cities chosen for the honor of hosting the document that started a new nation.

“Ideas that have stood the test of time and have become a living democracy that has evolved, endured,” said Madden. “Miami for us is a major market. It is a hub of international activity and the community really represents what these documents represent.”

The documents will be displayed at History Miami Museum.

“I think it speaks volumes for what Miami is, a city built by people who have come from all over the world, with hope, seeking opportunity and believing in the American promise,” said History Miami Museum CEO Natalia Crujeiras.

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The historic parchments provide a glimpse at how framers came to America’s promise through negotiation and compromise, such as the 1789 Senate markup of the Bill of Rights.

“Editing Article 3, which eventually becomes our First Amendment, so literally this is the day that they are debating what should be in the First Amendment, what should not be in the First Amendment. That is history right there,” said Madden.

Crujeiras said the exhibition, called “Documents That Forged A Nation,” creates space for reflection.

“America was maybe founded in that moment, but this experiment continues to exist to today and depends on our participation,” she said.

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