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For Bill of Rights Day, Philly students see the real deal

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For Bill of Rights day this year, students from schools near and far had a chance to not only read what the founding fathers wrote centuries ago, but to view an original copy of the 10 amendments that are still protecting freedom of individuals today. On Dec. 15, the National Constitution Center (NCC) opened a new exhibit featuring a copy of the U.S. Bill of Rights, one of only 12 left in the world.

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The Bill of Rights was ratified on Dec. 15, 1791 — 223 years ago. A couple years before that, George Washington sent each of the newly-formed states a copy of the bill. Now, there are only 12 remaining copies. The NCC and New York Public Library, which was in possession of the document, have agreed to rotate it between their states for public display over the next century.

In addition to the Bill of Rights, the exhibition includes a first-edition stone engraving of the Declaration of Independence used to print the document for public use as well as an interactive tool to explore U.S. rights.

“The National Constitution Center is now one of the only places in the country where visitors can see rare copies of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution in one place,” NCC President Jeffrey Rosen said. “We look forward to three years of education and debate about the meaning of the Bill of Rights in Philadelphia and across America.”

A $75,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation will waive admission fees for 1,400 Philadelphia students from Title I schools and provide them with on-site Bill of Rights-themed programming.