Article Contributed on: 9/9/2008 9:59:19 AM
"Riding" donkeys and elephants to the political conventions in both Denver
and Minneapolis, Educator delegates got to learn a great deal about America's official symbol, thanks to a colorful and informative exhibit all about the Great Seal of the United States.
"With permission from the U.S. State Department's Diplomacy Center, we
produced a partial replica of their ten-panel exhibit commemorating the
225th anniversary of the creation of America's Great Seal," said Ron Cole,
coordinator of the newly formed Great Seal Awareness Project (GSAP).
"A cornerstone in the foundation of the United States, the U.S. Great Seal
is a national treasure in the same league with the Declaration of
Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights," says John D. MacArthur,
author of the respected 76-page website GreatSeal.com.
Unfortunately, many educators have overlooked the Great Seal's history and
significance. Consequently, Americans know little about the two-sided symbol
of their nation that was carefully designed by the Founding Fathers -
beginning on July 4, 1776 and adopted by Congress on June 20, 1782.
GSAP wants to remedy this oversight. "It's time to give the Great Seal the
attention it deserves, and educators can lead the way," says MacArthur. "The
fascinating story of its creation and its eloquent symbolism are a rich
source of inspiration and direction for us this century."
In addition to the Diplomacy Center's exhibit panels, GSAP has produced an
11th panel ("Imagine the Possibilities") containing 17 pieces of children's
artwork that express their interpretation of the Great Seal and America's
future.
Also, a new twelfth panel ("Rising to the Challenge") highlights peace and
unity as predominant founding principles and calls for America's genius to
focus on the "the power of peace," as the founders described the American
eagle gazing at the olive branch. Many citizens are unaware that the symbol
containing the familiar pyramid and eye is the reverse side of the Great
Seal. Both sides have appeared on the back of the U.S. one-dollar bill since
1935.
"The Great Seal Awareness Project hopes to engage educators in developing
classroom projects and ways for students to share their visions of America,
as they learn about the multifaceted design of the emblem that represents
them," said Cole, a Viet Nam era U.S. Navy pilot and retired airline pilot.
Hundreds of educators viewed the exhibit at the Denver Convention Center and
the prestigious Minneapolis Club during both conventions. In addition to
raising educator awareness, GSAP hopes the "change" the next President
promises to bring will include reconnecting with America's original founding
principles of peace and unity that our Founding Fathers incorporated into
our Great Seal.
The next display of GSAP's Great Seal exhibit will be on September 21st at
the international Day of Peace Festival in Marathon, Florida in the Florida Keys.
Please visit GreatSeal.net for resources to learn more about the Great Seal
of the United States.