Documents of Democracy: Founding a New Nation

Interested in history? Stop by the Documents of Democracy: Founding a New Nation exhibit on the fifth floor of Wimberly Library, curated by Victoria Thur, Assistant Dean for Research and Distinctive Collections, and Robert Feeney, Special Collections Manuscript & Archives Assistant. The exhibition is courtesy of the Weiner Spirit of America Collection.

Democratic origins for America first began in England during the 13th century. The first document to lay the foundations for English constitutional government was the Magna Carta, which established that monarchs were subject to the laws of the realm, and it served to restrain the excesses of the monarchy. Until the signing of the Magna Carta, European rulers relied on the tradition of “divine right” to govern. Magna Carta established significant civil liberties and rights that have a direct connection to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Through the rare books and pamphlets found in the Marvin & Sybil Weiner Spirit of America Collection, this exhibit examines the documents, letters, and books that have inspired the ideas of freedom and democracy within the United States.

All of the Weiner collection highlights are on display: the Declaration of Independence, one of the seven 1776 copies of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, Articles of Confederation, first edition, and first printing of Federalist Papers.

The exhibit is open Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and available until October 19.