Thread by @USNatArchives

On December 15, 1952, staff at the Library of Congress carefully packed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution into wooden crates.

@librarycongress @USNatArchives #Constitution

Theodore J. Green, Senator from Rhode Island and Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library, handed over the documents to Brigadier General Stoyte Ross of the @usairforce.

Then the founding documents were loaded into a padded armored carrier protected by servicemen.

On the journey down Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues to @USNatArchives, the documents were accompanied by a color guard, ceremonial troops, Army Band, Air Force drum and bugle corps, two light tanks, four servicewomen carrying submachine guns and a motorcycle escort.

Armed Forces Police carried the encased documents up the steps of the National Archives Building.

Brigadier General Stoyte Ross delivered the documents into the care of the Third Archivist of the United States, Wayne C. Grover.

National Archives staff used the next 48 hours to install the documents before the unveiling ceremony.

On Dec. 15, President Truman addressed the crowd, remarking: “The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are now assembled in one place for display and safety. Here, so far as is humanly possible, they will be protected from the ravages of time."

Seventy years later, the National Archives remains committed to preserving, protecting, and permanently displaying these three founding documents.

Learn more: artsandculture.google.com/story/GgUhmgs7…