The Virginian-Pilot
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History came to life Thursday for 11-year-old Ashley Loefke and her classmates. The fifth-graders crowded around a glass case at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, craning for a view of an authentic copy of the Declaration of Independence housed inside.
The rare copy, printed on July 4, 1776, made a stop at the library as part of a nationwide tour.
"I loved it," said Loefke, a student at Norfolk Christian Schools. "It made me feel special to be able to stand there and look at it," said Ashley, a student at Norfolk Christian Schools. More than 650 students from nine schools viewed the declaration Thursday morning, said central librarian Pat Cook. It was open to the public in the afternoon.
Quentyn Corbett said the document inspired him. "It's a piece of history," the 10-year-old said.
Rebekah Robinson, also 10, said: "It was really cool. It was neat that I got the opportunity to see it."
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10/22/2009
VIRGINIA BEACH
It began as an announcement sent to the 13 colonies.
Two centuries later it popped up in a Pennsylvania flea market, slightly yellowed, folded up, and tucked behind a cheap painting.
Television producer Norman Lear bought it in 2000 for $8.1 million. Since then, the rare and well-preserved copy of the Declaration of Independence has been to the Winter Olympics, presidential libraries, and the Indianapolis 500 auto race.
Today, it stops at Virginia Beach's Meyera Oberndorf Central Library.
This poster-size Declaration of Independence was printed on the night of July 4, 1776, and is one of only 26 known to still exist. A Philadelphia printer made about 200 copies of the declaration, hours after the Continental Congress adopted it. These copies were distributed to the colonies and the military to be read in public squares and printed in newspapers, formally announcing America's break from British rule.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," the often-quoted second line reads. "That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
About 500 students from the city's public schools are scheduled to get a close look at the founding document, and the public can view it from 2 to 6 p.m., said Marcy Sims, Virginia Beach's library director.
"This is the most historic document we have hosted at the central library," Sims said. "We're just thrilled."
The document is in Virginia Beach as part of a tour sponsored by the Pearson Foundation, an arm of the education-services and technology company. The exhibit is free to the city and the public.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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what was
I was at the Central Library yesterday and noticed a band of protestors or demonstrators, a group of people holding up rainbow banners and signs that bore "Equal Rights for All". At a glance, I thought it had to do with gay rights, so I just ignored them and returned to my business. A librarian inside, however, said it probably had to do with the fact that the D of I was there...but when I exited the Library, the group was gone. Anyone know what that was all about?
Correction. 520 have NOT
Correction. 520 have NOT read it. Sorry about that.
It is the huble opinion of
It is the huble opinion of this poster that I absolutely believe that possibly 520 of the 525 members of Congress have actually read this document and really understood it's true meaning. I have a hard time believing that no president since Andrew Jackson has read it or The Consitution and I have serious doubts that our Supreme Court has done so either. What a shame.
Socialism is no longer a dirty word
Some of you think that by calling Obama a Communist that your insulting his supporters. Socialism is the only way to crawl out of Bush's mess. It will take Obama more than 2 terms to correct the problems and thats why you will see an elimination of term limits. The situation were in is serious and in order to fix the problem, Obama has had to take over parts of our economy. The people not only voted for him but also his agenda and when you have a news organization (Fox) who is obstructing the people's wishes by being overly critical of Obama, then Obama has had no choice but to warn them that they can be taken over or shut down if necessary.
So NOT true!
"a news organization (Fox) who is obstructing the people's wishes by being overly critical of Obama, then Obama has had no choice but to warn them that they can be taken over or shut down if necessary."
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Directly from FCC Consumer Center:
The FCC cannot interfere with a broadcaster's selection and presentation of material for the news and/or its commentary.
The Communications Act and First Amendment to the Constitution prohibit any action by the FCC that would interfere with free speech in broadcasting.
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I think "ptown" has your number.......bored and getting a kick out of posting outrageous rants!
GE was bailed out by Obama.......they own NBC, MSMBC, etc.....of course, they will always defend Mr. Obama.
As for FOX.......they present Facts....if you don't want to hear the truth....don't watch it!
Done
Nobody is this over-the-top communist. Not even communists. Therefore I surmise you're just a liberal lobbing grenades to spark arguments. I do similar things from the Conservative viewpoint over on Huffington Post. Once I realized you can't have a rational discussion or even a normal argument with radical leftists I switched to lobbing grenades like you are doing.
So I guess I can't berate you. I enjoy torturing the liberals probably as much as you enjoy torturing us.
I will, however, stop responding to your posts. I have identified them for what they are.
Good day comrade!
"then Obama has had no
"then Obama has had no choice but to warn them that they can be taken over or shut down if necessary."
Are you freakin kidding me????? This is EXACTLY the tyranny we fought against when we declared our freedom from England!! WE THE PEOPLE make the rules, NOT one man!! WE THE PEOPLE are allowed and encouraged to be critical of the government!!
Kiss my grits, this country's gone to hell in a hand-basket...
You're right Fishead
Socialism isn't a dirty word. It is a repugnant word.
Its nice...
... to have a monument to our dead, and/or dying ideals. Independence. Willingness to shrug off oppressive government. We no longer have such faith in ourselves, so we slap the deceased ideas in a museum or a library as something to oooo and ahhhhh about. Its sad, but its today.
enough with the bickering
Go see the D of I and be proud to be an American.
And depite what some are saying, the Prez is not going to use the Constitution as tp. We will be just fine in 2016 when his 2nd term ends.