A friend of ours recently visited Ft. Knox where all the gold is supposedly stored and safeguarded by our government. Some conspiracy theorists claim that the gold is no longer there, but I and most people want to believe it is, do believe it is, and do not abide by such theories. While discussing this visit, I remembered that I read somewhere that our United States Constitution, the original, was transported to Ft. Knox in Kentucky after the attack at Pearl Harbor in WWII. This made me wonder what other unusual things have happened to or been part of the history of this remarkable document.
1) The Constitution was kept on display at the Library of Congress in the 1920's and 30's and when it needed to be moved somewhere, the librarian would merely place it in his Ford Model T truck and take off. Then, yes, our incredible Constitution was, indeed, housed at Ft. Knox after Pearl Harbor. It is as precious, and more, than gold itself. Then it was returned to the Library of Congress. Following negotiations between the congressional librarian and the US archivist, the original document was by 1952 moved for public display at the National Archives. This move was not in a Model T. It was more complicated, as is our world today. Packaging including helium-filled cases packed in wooden crates atop mattresses. An armored Marine Corps personnel vehicle accompanied by ceremonial troops, two tanks, and four submachine gun-carrying servicemen drove the document down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue (how appropriate!) to the National Archives. Protection at the Archives is provided by titanium-framed thick glass for each of the 4 pages. Argon gas and a constant 67 degree F. temperature with 40% humidity protects the paper and ink for future generations.
2) The original constitution was the Articles of Confederation. Instead of enriching this document as our Constitution, our forefathers started from scratch to write the foundation of our country's documents. There were 4,543 words including the signature portion of the document, without counting any amendments.
3) The location for writing the constitution was a room that became steamy hot for 100 days during which the constitution was drafted, argued over, and written. Why? Because the sessions were considered so important that the meetings demanded secrecy and unopened windows and guarded locked doors that blocked out and locked out eavesdroppers.
4) Our country is a republic; clearly written in the constitution. My husband has oft said that in a democracy the people serve the government; but in a republic the government serves the people. Another way of looking at this is that in a republic the sovereignty is based in each and every individual while in a democracy it is in the group. In a pure democracy, 51% wins and 49% loses. There are no minority rights; there are only majority rights. In a republic, power is directly held by the people or through their chosen representatives who have specifically assigned power. A republic honors "liberty and justice for all" and the individual rights as natural rights. In a jury for example, it is not a 49/51% decision, but one juror can stop a decision to find guilt on behalf of a single defendant and a 100% majority is required for conviction.
5) Per Constitution Facts, when it came time to sign the document, 81-year old Benjamin Franklin had to be assisted due to his declining health. As he signed the U. S. Constitution, "tears streamed down his face." Franklin was the oldest signer; Jonathan Drayton of New Jersey was the youngest at 26. Note: Active in mind, but not in body, Franklin suffered gout pain and had a stone in his bladder. He was unable to walk but was carried in a sedan chair daily. Four Walnut Street Jail (Philadelphia) prisoners lifted him. Benjamin was known as the sage of the convention.
6) Per ConstitutionCenter.org, "More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty-three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty-seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution."
7) My ancestors were Mayflower passengers and their descendants. We as a family always think solely of our thanks and of our Mayflower heritage on Thanksgiving, but when George Washington was President he proclaimed a national holiday in 1789 to honor our constitution. I shall now honor this at Thanksgiving, very much so, even though since 2004, September 17th is now our official Constitution Day.
8) George Washington was the first to sign the Constitution.
9) The Constitution does not grant the power to print money to the government but instead says they may "coin money," the thinking being that the coins would be created from precious metals such as gold and silver. Wonder if they considered copper precious?
This leads us back to that theorist claim. Is the gold still in the well-guarded Ft. Knox? I have no idea, but I will stand up and fight for my republic rights granted through the United States Constitution. Every individual is honored and protected, rightfully.
1) The Constitution was kept on display at the Library of Congress in the 1920's and 30's and when it needed to be moved somewhere, the librarian would merely place it in his Ford Model T truck and take off. Then, yes, our incredible Constitution was, indeed, housed at Ft. Knox after Pearl Harbor. It is as precious, and more, than gold itself. Then it was returned to the Library of Congress. Following negotiations between the congressional librarian and the US archivist, the original document was by 1952 moved for public display at the National Archives. This move was not in a Model T. It was more complicated, as is our world today. Packaging including helium-filled cases packed in wooden crates atop mattresses. An armored Marine Corps personnel vehicle accompanied by ceremonial troops, two tanks, and four submachine gun-carrying servicemen drove the document down Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue (how appropriate!) to the National Archives. Protection at the Archives is provided by titanium-framed thick glass for each of the 4 pages. Argon gas and a constant 67 degree F. temperature with 40% humidity protects the paper and ink for future generations.
2) The original constitution was the Articles of Confederation. Instead of enriching this document as our Constitution, our forefathers started from scratch to write the foundation of our country's documents. There were 4,543 words including the signature portion of the document, without counting any amendments.
3) The location for writing the constitution was a room that became steamy hot for 100 days during which the constitution was drafted, argued over, and written. Why? Because the sessions were considered so important that the meetings demanded secrecy and unopened windows and guarded locked doors that blocked out and locked out eavesdroppers.
4) Our country is a republic; clearly written in the constitution. My husband has oft said that in a democracy the people serve the government; but in a republic the government serves the people. Another way of looking at this is that in a republic the sovereignty is based in each and every individual while in a democracy it is in the group. In a pure democracy, 51% wins and 49% loses. There are no minority rights; there are only majority rights. In a republic, power is directly held by the people or through their chosen representatives who have specifically assigned power. A republic honors "liberty and justice for all" and the individual rights as natural rights. In a jury for example, it is not a 49/51% decision, but one juror can stop a decision to find guilt on behalf of a single defendant and a 100% majority is required for conviction.
5) Per Constitution Facts, when it came time to sign the document, 81-year old Benjamin Franklin had to be assisted due to his declining health. As he signed the U. S. Constitution, "tears streamed down his face." Franklin was the oldest signer; Jonathan Drayton of New Jersey was the youngest at 26. Note: Active in mind, but not in body, Franklin suffered gout pain and had a stone in his bladder. He was unable to walk but was carried in a sedan chair daily. Four Walnut Street Jail (Philadelphia) prisoners lifted him. Benjamin was known as the sage of the convention.
6) Per ConstitutionCenter.org, "More than 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress. Thirty-three have gone to the states to be ratified and twenty-seven have received the necessary approval from the states to actually become amendments to the Constitution."
7) My ancestors were Mayflower passengers and their descendants. We as a family always think solely of our thanks and of our Mayflower heritage on Thanksgiving, but when George Washington was President he proclaimed a national holiday in 1789 to honor our constitution. I shall now honor this at Thanksgiving, very much so, even though since 2004, September 17th is now our official Constitution Day.
8) George Washington was the first to sign the Constitution.
9) The Constitution does not grant the power to print money to the government but instead says they may "coin money," the thinking being that the coins would be created from precious metals such as gold and silver. Wonder if they considered copper precious?
This leads us back to that theorist claim. Is the gold still in the well-guarded Ft. Knox? I have no idea, but I will stand up and fight for my republic rights granted through the United States Constitution. Every individual is honored and protected, rightfully.
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