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Some of the United States' most important historical documents are embarking on a first-of-its-kind journey across the country as part of the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration. These documents, typically housed in secure vaults at the National Archives, include the 1783 Treaty of Paris and the 1774 Articles of Association, both signed by prominent figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
The documents will be displayed for free at local museums, starting with the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. The tour, transported by the Boeing 737 "Freedom Plane," is part of a series of events organized by the America 250 commission and the White House-led Freedom 250 initiative. Jim Byron, senior adviser to the acting archivist of the United States, said, "It's tangible history, and tangible history inspires."
The tour includes stops in cities such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, and Seattle.
The "Freedom Plane" tour draws inspiration from the "American Freedom Train" of 1975-76, which celebrated the nation's bicentennial. This year's events also feature a fleet of mobile museums and a Great American State Fair on the National Mall. America 250 aims to engage all Americans in commemorating this milestone, with activities like story collection initiatives and a national startup competition.