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Magna Carta gets a photo-op

Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:55 AM
Filed Under:

By John Rutherford, Producer, NBC News, Washington

 WASHINGTON –  The only original copy of the 1297 Magna Carta outside of England was taken out of its display case at the National Archives Monday for a one-time press photo opportunity.

Archives officials admonished jostling photographers and cameramen to keep their distance from the russet-colored document, considered the foundation of English law.

"No heavy breathing or drooling on the document," teased the National Archives' Susan Cooper. The parchment may have been out of its display case, but it was still sealed in a glass-topped encasement.

Image: National Archives Displays An Original Copy Of Magna Carta
Getty Images
Photographers point their cameras to a 1297 version of Magna Carta during a press viewing of the document at the National Archives on March 3 in Washington, DC.   

This copy of the Magna Carta – the only one in private hands – was owned for centuries by an English family, the Brudenells. Texas billionaire Ross Perot bought it for $1.5 million in 1984 from relatives of the family and loaned it in 1985 to the National Archives, but he terminated the loan last year, took back the document, and sold it at auction for $21.3 million to David Rubenstein, managing director of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm in Washington, D.C.

A permanent home
Rubenstein arranged for the Magna Carta to be placed on permanent display in the West Rotunda Gallery of the Archives.

"To me, the only place that's appropriate for the Magna Carta in the United States is the National Archives," Rubenstein said.

Archivist Allen Weinstein said he expects the Magna Carta to remain on public display at the archives for at least the next 500 years.

"This great charter of freedoms has had a profound and lasting influence on our charters of freedom – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights – all of which are on permanent display in the Rotunda of this building," said Weinstein.

After the brief photo-op, the Magna Carta went back into its display case and will be back on public display March 12. The other three original copies of the 1297 Magna Carta remain firmly in English hands.

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Comments

why not do a translation of the Magna Carta ?

bill Hoag (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 12:50 PM)

Oh the irony of it all that the world war lords whould have possesion of the oldest human rights document
and how interesting that the  writer of todays story woul describe th grab up of the tallisman as "Texas billionaire Ross Perot simply sold it to for $21.3 million to David Rubenstein, managing director of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm in Washington, D.C." . Carlyle is one of th great murderers of the peace and sellers of death and destructiom in the world today.

So what is the real story here?

IAMROUGHFRAFT (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 1:04 PM)

There is one:

http://www.bl.uk/treasures/magnacarta/translation

anonymous (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:01 PM)

Is a translation of a document written in English really necessary?

Unknown, USA (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:08 PM)

IAMROUGHFRAFT,

Do you even understand the subject of the story? Seems like all you have to say is around some kind of twisted hate agenda...

JZ, Toronto, Canada (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:30 PM)

how ironoic? England, a country revered and revolted.

desiner21@yahoomail.com (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:46 PM)

This Document should be displayed for our children of school age to read. They probably have never heard of it from thier schools because of the liberal mindset of our education system.

Paul O'Brien--Denton, Maryland---21629 (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 4:01 PM)

If you have a problem with this country, then leave instead of complaining.

USAALLTHEWAY, KC, Mo (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 4:03 PM)

Is it in English?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 4:08 PM)

Irony here is the fact that the last prime example of a peacefull nation is in posession of this document. A few hundred years from now the islamo-fascists/Socialists will most likely have this document burned or destroyed.

Greg Pennsylvania (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 4:51 PM)

The Magna Carta was written in English...what should they translate it into....Spanish????

Paul Kahn (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 5:09 PM)

The government displays the document that guaranteed Habeas Corpus to the English along with the US Constitution which guarantees it to Americans while violating it today.  How ironical.

Greg, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 5:23 PM)

Hats off to the gentleman for giving us the document forever.  Yes, he will go down in history attached to the document for giving it to us.  Throughout history the rich, powerful, etc. have been instrumental in the construct of our culture.  This is the document were all our freedom springs from; not the Bible and I'm glad the owner has in effect given it to the people.

Brian Stanfill, Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 5:37 PM)

So what is the real story here?  A billionaire preserving an International Treasure.  Another Billionare providing the archive for public view.  And a sad nay sayer of democracy whining because they can preserve what their country cannot...Unfortunate invy at it's finest...

Larry Roach, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 5:49 PM)

Nevermind that this was written by "war lords" of the thirteenth century in an attempt to protect their rights - that story gets lost along the way.

Jen Price, Seattle WA (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:38 PM)

I did not realize the document still existed in original form.  So many good things are passing from the Realm these days.  

Deal, Kent survivor (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 6:58 PM)

"...document, considered the foundation of English law." "This great charter of freedoms has had a profound and lasting influence on our charters of freedom – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights..."  Oops!  Are they telling us that our country and legal system were founded on a *secular* document and not on Christianity and the Ten Commandments?  Maybe the religious reich wing-nuts ought to read The Magna Carta.  

Ken Whiton (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:12 PM)

World war lords, huh.  That has got to be one of the stupidest phrases I have heard in a while...well since I was watching our candidates for President today.  The Magna Carta and the ideas of individual liberty it enshrined are what allows nitwits like Mr. World war lords to make his or her comments without fear of being hauled off to a reeducation camp somewhere.  All they have to fear is that someone like me will come along and laugh at their ignorance.  The US of A has done more good for more people in shorter period than any other country in history.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr. World war lords...ha.

Mike (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:18 PM)

Bill Hoag did not explain that the Magna Carta was written in Latin.

I think that a modern-day American would do better to read a good encyclopedia article about the Magna Carta, rather than plow through a translation of the original.  Wikipedia has a fairly good article that explains a lot.

Josh Levin (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 9:28 PM)

Oh the irony that I read a complaint concerning  capitalists donating and perserving one of the above documents that our Anglo/American warriors shed blood to maintain.
The real story is the avalibilty of the precious documents not the twisted mental state of the decryer.

Bob Sheridan, Lutz, Florida (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:20 PM)

Why didn't you present a close-up photo of the Charter so readers could see it in detail?  One of my ancestors signed it.

George Mowbray, Ottawa, Canada (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:46 PM)

Based on some of the postings I have seen about how evil these two greedy businessmen are, I guess it was best to leave out the part that the evil billionaire (RP) sold the document to raise money to assist veterans of the war in Iraq and the other evil billionaire just donated it back to the public after purchasing it.

John, Houston Texas (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 10:57 PM)

Perhaps the Patriot Act should also be placed in a glass case and displayed side-by-side with the Magna Carta.  Let the whole world witness the progress of the United States of America government.

ELong, Lexington, KY (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:31 PM)

It is true. The barbarians who once were at the gate, were at the gate but inside the gate. The modern warlords of today that flaunt their munitions in greenbacks, glory and maybe a little guts (Perot) would not have the decency to "donate" the precious thin skin upon which were written the past and the future of survival of this world. The barbarians have charge over our freedoms because they ask us to pay with greenbacks. Our forefathers paid with their lives. Boy have we been sold a bill of nogoods.

T. Patrick Baca, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:55 PM)

Bill, I think a translation has already been done.  I found the full text at: http://www.magnacartaplus.org/magnacarta/index.htm

Charley Jones, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 12:34 AM)

Yeah, free the proletariat, burn the Magna Carta, and display our glorious Manifesto!

Stinking Communists.  

Ted Janiszewski, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 12:51 AM)

I truly do not understand the perspective of IAMROUGHFRAFT . I have no idea if you are American. If you are then I feel sorry for you. If not, then you are just one more of the worlds citizens who constantly demonizes the US but is more than happy to accept our assistance. Why can't you look at this story for what it is, and to Mr. Rubenstein's gift of immense value to all free men and women not only in this country but around the globe. I pity you.

Larry Crowson, Huntsville, AL (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 1:00 AM)

Interesting. The basis of eglish law that through "evolution" allows "waterboarding" of POW's.
Well done.

Gabe Standhal; Green Bay (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:05 AM)

I find it ironic that the capitalist system despised by some is ultimately responsible for the preservation of the Magna Carta copy and its availability for all to see.

Steve Kamp, Haverford, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 2:19 AM)

what is written in the Magna Carta and the other great documents is NOT practiced today.
What would our forefathers have said to that ?
Isn't that why they wrote those very instruments of law ?

Frank Smythe West palm beach FL (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 4:24 AM)

The USA is in need of support in Europe. This is good step. Bush is often called the Devil and anything to see that the president does not have but 20% approval of his countrymenis good news A war that is designed to go on forever is always a disaster as Vietnam. Util some new leader admits it the war continues to grab needed dollars to rebuild palaces in Iraq. The Magna Carta will draw tourist to the USA and hhopefully no terroist to destroy it.

don schmidt (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:04 AM)

Oh, come on! "...th great murders of the peace and sellers of death and destruction in the world today.".

Just a little more hyperbole, please.

meshoppen66, Houston, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 8:45 AM)

Is anyone wondering why the English allowed their document to hit the street in the 1st place?
The English, with all their trite and anal traditions didn't mind the store and allowed it to be sold? WOW!!

CJ Vah Jackson, WI (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:25 AM)

I am English though I live here in the States. I am very proud of Magna Carta which we were taught in school. However, I am always shocked that schoolkids (and a lot of grown ups) have never read the Constitution, Bill of Rights etc. Whenever I read them I have tears in my eyes-because to my mind they are without doubt the greatest documents created by man (although I really believe they were inspired). Maybe the understanding of both documents should be compulsory reading for schoolchildren with tests on both.

Allan Gregory RI (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:26 AM)

You people who think America is such a dictatorship need to remember that if it was you would not be allowed to say so, and that many people who built on the principles first laid out in that document and who died for it have built and preserved the freedom that you refuse to acknowledge or have any sense of as an American and a human being. Go spend ten minutes in a dictatorship,a REAL dictatorship,as an average citizen and not a propagandized "guest" and then spout your drivel. Get your diapers changed and grow up.

David Powell, Ocean City, New Jersey (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:34 AM)

C'mon people.  Are you all serious?  You don't know that the Magna Carta, which translated means Great Charter, is in Latin?  Did you miss that day in grammar school?

B, North Bergen, NJ (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:34 AM)

THE MAGNA CARTA was written in LATIN.

Valentine, Naco, Ariz. (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:50 AM)

Frankly this board has some strange people.
1) Adam Smith and Wealth of Nations is in the 1750 period -- so the Magna Carta lasted 500 years without Capitalism.
2) Having been to the Middle East (Arab Countries) twice in 2007, and Eastern Europe four times last year (a month at a time) -- America is really rich comparied to what these people have to live on (Egypt $200 USD monthly, Ukraine $200 to $600 USD based on your location -- source WTO backed by personal observatin) -- excluding the mafia business oligarchies in Russia.
-- the point is get in a plane and go see the post communist Easter Europe and perhaps try Egypt (Americans as individuals are still loved there as individuals.  If you go overseas, especially you good old boys - you will see capitalism (rough Capitalism, but Capitalism).  The communists are generally considered a joke there, 5.6% of the last Election in Sept 2007, and the 20% they just got in Russia was more a protest against the 'Managed Democracy' Russia is now practicing.  Unfortunaetly that 'Managed Democracy' was brought about by the US Government's inability to give the Russian's a Marshall Plan back in 1990 when they requested our assistance.  Instead we -- the US government and our business interests tried to carve up their country, through their various institutionalized criminal interests.  
-- As to the Magna Carta, someone was right, it was about the local Lords rights not the serfs or common Englishman.  Later over time it did lead to more right through the evolution of English law.  So it is a good pointer document for history.
-- Finally since others have turned this into a COMMIE verse NON-COMMIE board, being a liberal is a far cry from communist.  Liberals in America are MUCH MUCH more conservative then Europeans or Eastern Europeans in their daily lives and economic goals.
-- The Free Traders also -- Adam Smith never supported Free Trade, read "Wealth of Nations" before you claim yourself a Free Trade or Hyper-Capitalist.  All Free Trade really did was gut America's industrial base.  That is a fact.  "Made in China".
Regards All.

Murray, Washington DC (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 9:58 AM)

The Magna Carta signed by King John was written in 1215.  This original copy is that of an amended version written 82 years later.

Walter G. Dinkla (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:05 AM)

How horrible is the education system of this country if people are not aware that the language used in law and government during the Medieval period was Latin. Edward's father, Henry III was the first King not to speak Norman French exclusively. I am not a historian, just a student who listened.

kimg Winter Park, Florida (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:16 AM)

Popular perception is that King John and the barons signed the Magna Carta, however there were no signatures on the original document, only a single seal by the king. The words of the charter-Data per manum nostram-signify that the document was personally given by the king's hand. By placing his seal on the document, the King and the barons followed common law that a seal was sufficient to authenticate a deed, though it had to be done in front of witnesses. John's seal was the only one, and he did not sign it. The barons neither signed nor attached their seals to it.

PotKettleBlack, Jackson, WY (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:22 AM)

Can we all just get along? Every one should read the "translated version" so you will know the importance of the document and perhaps gain a little more understanding before making such strong statements. I read the translation and particularly like how it starts & # 40 - To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice.

JA - Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:34 AM)

Oh, please-the Magna Carta is written in LATIN, the language of the day for documents such as this, NOT ENGLISH. There were 4 originals made and were kept in each of 4 prominent English Cathedrals initially, some of which are still retained by these cathedrals.

Richard White, Syosset, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:36 AM)

Read with intrest all the comments, isn't it wonderful that we have the freedom to make such without shooting at each other which was I believe the original intent of the Charter. But the truth is still that we are grateful that the gospel (teachings of Jesus) came west giving birth to liberties like the Charter.  History is still His Story!! You can have a Christian conscience and not own up to it.

Bill Kean, Peterview, Newfoundland , Canada (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:39 AM)

Guys - talk about not knowing your history - the Magna Carta >itself< was based upon the Bible - crimimy - I'll bet NONE of those who sneered about "secular" documents have ever actually studied the Bible from a simple literary historical basis. OK, choose to not believe it's internal claims to Divine authorship, but please don't wallow happily in your ignorance regading the intellectual and historical origins to the very >concepts< that formed the basis for such documents. It's just downright >embarassing<...

BH Reed (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:43 AM)

Iamroughfraft
I suggest you consult with your "comrads" and give us an example of the human rights advances your communist friends have make.  
Or maybe offer one suggestion to improve the lot of the "downtrodden".

Ken (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:45 AM)

"The other three original copies of the 1297 Magna Carta remain firmly in English hands."


1297?  The Magna Carta was signed in 1215.

B. Stewart, Dyersburg, TN (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:51 AM)

More have been killed in the name of god than in any other reason.  So saying tha tthe carylye group is one of those is a little short of truth.  Whom do you work for?  Who owns them?  Do you shop at the insidious Wal-Mart?  Or do you shop at the less insidious Target.  Whose only failure is that they have nto been able to beat Wal-Mart.

When an individual does something good, who are we to criticize them.  If you have the $21M to spend, would you have done that?  I doubt that you would cough up $21 let alone or 21K.

Do you contibute to mans well being?  Do you give to charities to feed the poor and less fortunate.  Do you contribute to medical charities to make life better for all?

If you do great, if not, maybe you need to reconsider your values and not try and foster the great conspiracy theory that everyone is in league to get everyone else.

Give it a rest and just appreciate that you and others can look, view and admisre the thoguht of the indivdiuasl who created the document in the first place and not try and demonize it with either left or right wing bias.

titep (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 10:51 AM)

For your information, it is written in English, and most of you still can not read that anyway.

Earl B, B.C. Canada (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 11:01 AM)

I think all of you, with your ass-braying, have brought our beloved and blessed country to the brink of ruin.  Where are the so-called patriots?  Where are you with your tea?  What the hell happened to give me liberty, or give me death?  Cowards, the lot of you.  Spineless, obstinate and unyielding.  You people are as American as an edition of Mein Kampf.  If you really were American, or even would pull a single hair for one, you would all stop your incessant bickering and braying with one another and actually go out and DO SOMETHING about it.  But no...you hide behind your computer screens, and you laugh and mock and judge others, when you yourselves are equally as morass and guilty because you opt to bellyache without having to suffer a single sacrifice.  Complaining about the war in Iraq?  Well... DO SOMETHING!  Complaining about the Patriot Act?  Well... DO SOMETHING!  Don't like high taxes, or the housing slump? Well... DO SOMETHING!  Stop whining like sniveling babies and go do SOMETHING...ANYTHING.  Because all you are right now, is a joke.  Not simply an American joke, but a Global one.  You don't think that the nations of the world arn't laughing at you?  They are.  I know.  I'm an American living abroad, and I hear it and see it everyday.  People of the world don't hate you...they miss you.  They want the United States to lead, and lead by example and lead well...not via bombs or threats.  Those are the days of the old Soviet Union.  America stood for so much more, but you people and the politicians inside the beltway have made a mockery of it.  Fix the problems, and stand up for yourselves in a medium other than the Blogosphere.  Grow a spine and go out of your basements and DO SOMETHING.  You're the laughing stock of planet Earth, and you all know it isn't supposed to be like that.  Don't we all love America?  Are we not the inheritors of the greatest nation on Earth?  So enough banter.  Now is the time for action.

Go.

Timothy, Beirut, Lebanon (Sent Wednesday, March 05, 2008 11:03 AM)



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