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Once the Centerpiece of Celebration, a Faded Declaration Recedes
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- During the United States' centennial in 1876, the Declaration of Independence was the main attraction at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, drawing nine million visitors in a nation of about 46 million people.
- For the 250th anniversary, the physical Declaration remains protected and displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., but it is less central to celebrations compared to 1876.
- Contemporary events marking the 250th include unconventional activities such as a UFC event on the White House lawn and the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix near the National Mall, highlighting a shift in focus away from the document itself.
- Colleen J. Shogan, former U.S. archivist, noted that official 250th anniversary activities have not emphasized the Declaration much, possibly reflecting broader political and institutional dynamics.
- On the exact 250th anniversary of the Declaration's finalization, visitor access to view the document at the Archives was notably unhurried, contrasting with the intense public interest seen in past commemorations.
