tobia, eo nomine

In all the years that I have been visiting our nation’s capitol, whether it was for business or pleasure, there is surprisingly one thing that I had not done… visit the National Archives and view our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. This revelation, made earlier today as I was roaming the halls of this historical institution, was something of a shock to me. As it were, I am quite the afficionado of American History and in particular, the American Revolution and Federalist Era.

With that being said, I was quite fortunate with my trip to Washington, DC today in that I had plenty of time to visit whatever museums or galleries that I had in mind. I had considered taking another tour of the Capitol building as one of my life dreams is to live in an apartment or own a house with a roof deck that overlooks the Capitol. Such a view, in the warm summer months would make me quite the happy man. However, as I went to book a tour of the Capitol last night I recalled that while that tour is quite enjoyable and informative, it must pale in comparrison to a visit of the National Archives and an examination of the founding documents of our great nation.

As I arrived at Reagan National this morning around 7:30, I eagerly awaited the opening of the Archives at 10. Fortunately I was able to camp myself at a Starbucks just kitty-corner to it and wait for the opening. Fortunatey the wait was well worth it. While I was anxious to rush to the rotunda of the Archives to view those documents, I decided to ease my way into it and view the majority of the exhibit. If you are a fan of American History, you should absolutely take the time to go through the halls. From a map of the Gettysburg battlefield, to a copy of the Articles of Confederation, to video exhibits of WWII military advertisements to one of Shaq’s shoes, the halls are filled with some amazing pieces of American History.

By the time I had finished with most of the exhibit, I was so anxious to see our founding documents that I missed the copy of the Magna Carta that is on permanent loan to the Archives. I slowly walked the Rotunda, being sure to read all of the exhibits and spending extra time on both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I was barely able to make out the line that was so popularized by the movie National Treasure

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Following my successful hunt for this poweful line, I had to take great pause at the Constitution to see New York’s lone signature and one of my personal heroes, Alexander Hamilton. Witnessing his signature in the flesh was a moving moment, and one that I won’t soon forget.