Political Quotes

“exactly 50 years ago today on September 17, 1947, the Freedom Train began its historic 16-month tour across the United States. This special train, commonly known as the Spirit of 1776, carried over 100 historic documents to hundreds of communities in all of the then 48 States. More than a rolling museum, the Freedom Train was a 16-month experiment in civic awareness that provided a vivid reminder of the greatness of America's heritage to a nation still recovering from economic depression and world war. Imagine what it must have felt like to see the Freedom Train rolling into your hometown in 1947 and open its doors to reveal original documents like the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence. The Freedom Train's tour logged more than 37,000 miles. Today railroading enthusiasts across the country pause to pay tribute to this unique train and to its enlightened mission to renew pride in our Nation's founding principles. I would like to give special thanks to Mary Jayne and John Z. Rowe, two Virginians who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the special story of the Freedom Train will never be forgotten.”