Share this story. 
|
Students Visit 'National Treasure' on July 4th
By Elissa K. Harvill
|
This particular copy of the famous document was intended to reach the King of Prussia. It arrived in Tulsa, however, thanks to museum founder Thomas Gilcrease, who purchased it (and other documents, including letters from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson and certified copies of the Articles of Confederation) back in the 1950s.
"Hearing me recite the key words of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' from the Declaration of Independence clearly cannot convey the compelling message that reading the phrase on their own on July 4 does," Branham said.
Prior to the field trip, Branham's students examined the document's content in general during class, where Branham emphasized the Declaration's belief that our liberties are God-given and not government-granted.
"I stress the sentence, 'And to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men,' to show that the purpose of government is to protect these God-given rights," Branham explained.
Much of what the students learn will reappear on a future exam. This is Branham's third trip to see the exhibit, which surfaces only on special occasions, as the delicate artifacts are vulnerable to light.
Branham added: "I read recently that founding fathers and Declaration of Independence signers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the same day--July 4, 1826. That was exactly 50 years to the day after the signing of the Declaration. Due to this unique occurrence, many at the time said they could see the hand of God in the document. I certainly would concur."
