Emancipation Proclamation to be permanently showcased in National Archives Rotunda.

The Emancipation Proclamation to be Permanently Displayed at the National Archives

The National Archives made an exciting announcement on Saturday, revealing that the Emancipation Proclamation will now have a permanent place in its rotunda. This historic document, which was President Abraham Lincoln’s order to free all slaves in the United States, has been on display since Saturday in honor of Juneteenth. Dr. Colleen Shogan, the Archivist of the United States, confirmed that it will remain alongside other significant documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

“Although the full privileges of freedom were not immediately bestowed upon all Americans with Lincoln’s order, I am proud that the National Archives will enshrine this seminal document for public display adjacent to our nation’s founding documents,” Shogan stated. “Together, they tell a more comprehensive story of the history of all Americans and document progress in our nation’s continuous growth toward a more perfect Union.”

Due to the Emancipation Proclamation being a double-sided five-page document, its original pages will be rotated regularly to limit light exposure while it is displayed. Unfortunately, photography of the document will continue to be prohibited.

In celebration of this momentous occasion, the rotunda will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Monday. It is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to witness this significant piece of history.

Juneteenth: A National Holiday

Last year, Juneteenth became a national holiday, marking an important milestone in American history. It was Texas that first recognized this day as a holiday back in 1980, and now the entire nation joins in commemorating the emancipation of enslaved individuals.

To learn more about this remarkable event, click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.