From this vast accumulation of documents, a few stand out as milestones on the road connecting the past with the present. Most of these milestones represent steps toward the ideals established in the three founding documents; most have benefited the majority of the American people; most have helped to establish this nation as a leader among the nations of the world. "The Written Word Endures" presents some of these great documents that in one way or another have shaped American history. Many of these have heralded new departures or marked closed chapters. Most represent turning points, the nature of American life having been altered after their appearance. To underscore the significance of each milestone document, other records from the National Archives have been grouped with each central document to show its background and origins or to demonstrate its far-reaching consequences. A quick perusal of this exhibit will kindle a spark of recognition in most Americans. Many of the documents have been familiar since grade school; some mark events that have been experienced directly. A closer examination may lead to a new appreciation of the richness of the nation's documentary heritage as it is preserved in the National Archives. Milestone Documents of American History Declaration of Independence, 1776 Constitution of the United States, 1787 Bill of Rights, 1789 "Northwest Ordinance," 1787 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848 Eli Whitney's cotton gin patent drawing, 1794 Homestead Act, 1862 Morrill Act, 1862 Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 Nineteenth Amendment, 1920 Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Instrument of Surrender of the "Marshall Plan," 1948 THE The Book The chief Bicentennial publication of the National Archives will be a hardcover book, The Written Word Endures: Milestone Documents of American History. Based on the Archives' 1976 exhibit of the same name, the book will present the full sweep of United States history in 112 pages of specially written text and 263 carefully selected illustrations, many printed in full color. The book illustrates the process by which the American people have interpreted and reinterpreted the vision of the Founding Fathers. More than that, it provides a fascinating view of the wide-ranging holdings of the National Archives - a unique institution, which more than any other functions as the national memory. Useful as a reference work, designed to give pleasure to the eye, this important book is being offered at the special prepublication price of $7.50. Following publication of the book in September 1976, the price will be $8.50. You may reserve a copy of The Written Word Endures at the prepublication price by completing the coupon at the bottom. of the page. Please hold my order for The Written Word Endures: Milestone Documents of American History. I understand this $7.50 book will be mailed to me upon publication. Make checks payable to NATF (NEPS). Mail to: Cashier, National Archives (GSA), Washington, DC 20408. Name Address City State Zip Code Herbert Hoover Library Dwight D. Eisenhower Library John F. Kennedy Library Waltham, MA 02154 Telephone 617-223-7250 Lyndon Baines Johnson Library FEDERAL ARCHIVES AND For each of the following, address inquiries to the Federal Archives and Records Center Director. ATLANTA 1557 St. Joseph Ave. East Point, GA 30344 Telephone 404-526-7474 BOSTON 380 Trapelo Rd. Waltham, MA 02154 Telephone 617-223-2657 CHICAGO 7358 South Pulaski Rd. Chicago, IL 60629 Telephone 312-353-8541 DAYTON 3150 Bertwynn Dr. Dayton, OH 45439 Telephone 513-225-2852 DENVER Bldg. 48, Denver Federal Center Telephone 303-234-5271 FORT WORTH Box 6216 Fort Worth, TX 76115 KANSAS CITY 2306 East Bannister Rd. LOS ANGELES 24000 Avila Rd. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Telephone 714-831-4221 MECHANICSBURG Naval Supply Depot, Bldg. 308 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Telephone 717-766-8511 ext. 3477 NEW YORK Bldg. 22, Military Ocean Terminal PHILADELPHIA 5000 Wissahickon Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19144 Telephone 215-951-5591 ST. LOUIS National Personnel Records Center 9700 Page Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63132 SAN FRANCISCO 1000 Commodore Dr. San Bruno, CA 94066 Telephone 415-876-9001 SEATTLE 6125 Sand Point Way Seattle, WA 98115 Telephone 206-442-4500 WASHINGTON Washington National Records Center Washington, DC 20409 Telephone 301-763-7000 |