News

Kiosks help Americans document opinions about U.S. history

September 16, 2003

WASHINGTON -- At a Sept. 17 ceremony with President George W. Bush, John W. Carlin, the Archivist of the United States, will launch "The People's Vote: 100 Documents That Shaped America," a national challenge to engage Americans in a debate about which documents in American history are the most influential.

The People's Vote, co-sponsored by the National Archives, National History Day and U.S. News & World Report, invites Americans of all ages and educational backgrounds to vote for 10 documents from a list of 100 milestone documents chosen by historians and the National Archives, or to write in their favorites.

According to a news release, votes can be registered at www.usnews.com/vote or at kiosks located at the National Archives, Presidential libraries and regional archives nationwide.

The People's Vote is part of a larger project created by the National Archives and National History Day in collaboration with USA Freedom Corps titled "Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics and Service." The purpose is to provide programs like the People's Vote to engage Americans in a better understanding of the documents that shaped our country.

When visiting the kiosks or logging onto the Web site, Americans can see the original 100 milestone documents, ranging from the U.S. Constitution to the cancelled check for the purchase of Alaska, and learn more about them. Voters who feel that the documents on the list do not meet their own criteria for the top 10, may write in their own choices.

The Sept. 22 issue of U.S. News & World Report includes an editorial package, entitled "American Ideals," that will include articles about the significance of some of the documents, a full listing of the documents and a paper ballot. U.S. News & World Report will also publish a Collector's Edition, available on newsstands beginning mid-February 2004, which will include editorial content about The People's Vote. The Collector's Edition.

The results of The People's Vote will be announced during a ceremony in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom on Dec. 15, Bill of Rights Day.