When you fly into Philadelphia and take the train downtown, disembarking at Jefferson Station hints at what you are about to encounter. Philly is, after all, the cradle of our democracy. Everywhere you go you bump into the native son, Benjamin Franklin. His image, likeness as statues, and name are everywhere. Other founding mothers and fathers are ever-present.
An easy walk from Jefferson Station is the location where Thomas Jefferson along with his 14-year-old slave, Robert Hemmings, lived. It is there that he penned our Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin was on the committee in charge of producing the document. Jefferson wrote it, and Franklin edited it. Ben's primary contribution was changing the phrase, "We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable." to "We hold these truths to be self-evident." to ground human equality in science and philosophy rather than divine authority. A few blocks away is Independence Hall, at that time called the Philadelphia State House. It was there that the document was discussed and signed.
Independence Hall
Independence Hall Interior
Across the street is the Liberty Bell, now showcased in a special museum where there is always a long line to get in. At the other end of the long grassy mall in front of Independence Hall is the National Constitution Center. It is located here because the US Constitution was also written at the Philadelphia State House a little more than a decade after the Declaration of Independence. Other nearby sites include the house where Betsy Ross sewed our flag, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Philly is the cradle of our democracy because our two founding legal documents were created right here.
While standing in the long lines for Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center, you notice all ages, races, and nationalities. Although history isn't thought of as being very sexy, interest in these founding documents is high and appreciated by foreigners as much as by Americans. You need a ticket to enter Independence Hall. It is free, but tickets sell out quickly after they become available the night before at 5:00. The tour is brief but informative. It is wonderful to be "in the room where it happened". The National Park Service rangers are knowledgeable and take their jobs seriously. They present the history and story of our nation's founding in an interesting and thoughtful manner.
I voted today. The line wasn't as long as for the Liberty Bell, but you could sense a similar appreciation amongst voters for our founding documents. Just showing up and voting helps preserve the intention of those documents. Those documents seem so much more dear when one is invested in preserving them and all they stand for.
Take a walk to your local polling place if you have not already voted.
