Freedom’s documents land in Colorado
Bob Sweeney’s June 4 column marks a Denver showing of founding documents during America’s 250th year.
Bob Sweeney ·
As America marks its 250th birthday and Colorado prepares to celebrate 150 years of statehood, a remarkable piece of history has quietly arrived in Denver: the original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and a rare draft of the United States Constitution. These are not reproductions found in history books. They are authentic connections to the men who risked everything to establish a nation founded on liberty, representative government and individual freedom.
Sweeney recalled the excitement of the 1976 Bicentennial Freedom Train. Tickets to the exhibition are free, making this a rare opportunity. “At a time when political arguments dominate television, social media and even family dinner tables, there may be no better moment to revisit the principles that united America at its birth.” Citizens of every political persuasion should spend a few moments standing before these documents and reflecting on the extraordinary experiment in self-government they represent.
The United States has endured wars, economic crises, political turmoil and profound social change during its first 250 years. Through it all, the principles contained in these documents have remained the foundation of our democracy.
Print source: The Villager, Vol. 44 No. 28, June 4, 2026, page 4. Issuu edition.