Magna Carta in Philadelphia

NEA Presents Exhibit

Magna Carta closeup.

This summer, NEA is presenting an exhibit of historical documents—including the Magna Carta—in Philadelphia.

One of only four existing original copies of Magna Carta, one of the world's greatest charters of freedom, will be on display from Wednesday, July 4, through Wednesday, July 25, 2007. 

The National Constitution Center will host Magna Carta: Foundation of Freedom, presented by the NEA and sponsored by Verizon Communications. Additional support for this exhibit is being provided by Bank of America, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and director Ron Howard.

On loan from the Lincoln Cathedral, Magna Carta will be on special display inside the National Constitution Center's main exhibition, "The Story of We the People." Magna Carta: Foundation of Freedom will coincide with the Center's summer display of the signed Emancipation Proclamation and the printing of the U.S. Constitution from the Pennsylvania Packet. The exhibit provides an excellent opportunity to see three documents that represent what freedom means in this country.

Originally composed in Latin in 1215, Magna Carta, "The Great Charter of Liberty," established a separation of church and state and set forth restrictions on the power of the monarchy. Magna Carta is universally considered a basis of modern constitutional law.  

"At the National Education Association, we believe that a quality public education is a basic right of every child—a right as fundamental as those that were spelled out in Magna Carta. We believe that our work to close academic achievement gaps and reduce the dropout rate is a natural outgrowth of the great principles that were set forth in these remarkable documents.  And we're proud to play a part in bringing these historical treasures together to help America's students understand our nation's values and deepen their love of history."

—Reg Weaver, NEA president

Listen to Reg Weaver's thoughts on the Magna Carta, from an exhibit this past spring featuring the Magna Carta at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Beach.

Related Links

» Thinkfinity.org—Find free lesson plans and educational resources on the Magna Carta and other historical documents at the Thinfinity site, from sponsor Verizon Communications. Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation's comprehensive program and online portal to more than 50,000 standards-based, grade-specific, K-12 lesson plans and other educational resources provided in partnership with many of the nation’s leading educational organizations.

» National Constitution Center—Explore the Center now online and later visit this interactive history museum in person. The Center is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance.

» Lincoln Cathedral—Learn more about Magna Carta, from an overview to deeper research, at the Lincoln Cathedral, where one of the four original copies survive. The other three can be seen in Britain, one at Salisbury Cathedral and the remaining two in the British Library. 

» James Earl Jones Unveils Magna Carta Exhibit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia —NEA press release, July 3, 2007.

» NEA President Receives Prestigious Honor from Lincoln Cathedral—NEA press release, July 5, 2007.