The best Black Friday bargain was the free exhibit featuring the Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta at the Library of Congress. One of only four existing manuscript copies that date to 1215, the document is “a world treasure –
an artifact whose creation became the foundation of the rule of law for England and for much of the modern world.” This British Charter of Liberties had a “powerful influence on the founding
documents of the United States.”
In addition to telling the story of how Magna Carta became a symbol of liberty, the exhibition explored Magna Carta’s role in American independence, constitutional law, and culture. I
especially enjoyed reading about BridgeAnne D’Avignon, a twelve-year-old girl from Bakersfield California. She published a poster that traced the lineage of all the U.S. presidents, with
one exception, to a common ancestor – King John of England. Click here to learn which U.S. president was not a descendent of King John.
“Magna Carta: Muse and Mentor" will be open through January 19, 2015 in the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building.
Learn more about the Magna Carta at the online version of the exhibition, where you will
find excellent resources for teaching with primary sources such as images, maps, letters, books, etc. Use the Library’s primary source analysis tool
to engage students in discussions about government and individual liberties.
