“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Famous words, seen in actuality today on a rare 1776 broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence…a moving moment for those of us at the Opening Ceremony at the Arizona Historical Society (AHS), 949 E. 2nd St. These words are quoted often in civil rights cases and in discussion of issues as to how we Americans choose to pursue our goals of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Read the entire text here.

But it is also a reminder of what tremendous effort (and war) it took to sever ourselves as 13 Colonies from Great Britain, in such a strong declaration of freedom and independence. As our founding fathers said– “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” And that is what they eloquently did in this Declaration at the 2nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

These lofty and enduring words have been the foundation of our United States of America since July 4, 1776, over 233 years ago. And these words will stand as the fiber of our Nation into the 21st Century and beyond.

You can still view this copy which I first wrote about on Feb. 18 (click here) at the AHS– museum hours are till 8 p.m. tonight, and tomorrow Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will be your only chance to see this 2 day traveling exhibit in Tucson. Admission is free.

Notables at today’s opening ceremony: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, former Governor Raul Castro, Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Oro Valley Mayor Paul Loomis, Pima County Supervisors Richard Elias and Ray Carroll, State House representatives Steve Farley and Daniel Patterson, former State House rep. Pete Herschberger.

Congresswoman Giffords was instrumental in bringing this historic document to Tucson, and provided the welcoming & closing remarks, as well as “An Historical Perspective”. She also related what occurred later to the 56 brave men who signed the document in July, 1776.

Particularly moving was the video by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (of Arizona) who reminded us that we are a government by the “consent of the governed”, and that this document is a “legacy of our democracy”, and a “priceless treasure of freedom.” This video will be shown throughout the 2 day exhibit.

Note: I’ve seen the signed “original copy” of this Declaration of Independence at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and have lived in Charlottesville,Virginia, home of 3rd President Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of this Declaration. If you’re ever in that part of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I encourage you to visit Monticello, President Jefferson’s lovely estate to learn more about that particular founding father.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 24, and be at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road for the first Tucson International Day of Climate Action starting at 10 a.m. The TCCC is located east of La Canada, on the north side of River Road. People from all over the world are participating in this global event.

kids snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef, for 350.org

Check it all out at 350.org and here’s info copied from their Tucson flyer.

“Connect with others in our community and thousands of communities across the planet who are building a movement to lift public awareness about Global Warming. Let’s show the world what Tucson is doing to make policymakers aware of the scientific evidence that says the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide must be lowered to 350 ppm if we
are going to avoid a catastrophic ecological tipping point.” 350 ppm (parts per million) signifies the safe upper limit of CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere.

At this event, you will have an opportunity to:
-be part of a “human sculpture” in the form of a giant “350”— photo will be sent to 350.org and become part of a collection of similar images from around the world that will be delivered to the media and world leaders;
-participate in a “Green TEA Party”, gathering 350 or more petitions to influence local officials to endorse a viable foundation for sustainable development (TEA = Tucson Ecological Action);
- hear short comments by local dignitaries;
- talk to representatives of various local non-profit organizations about products and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The schedule of events on the morning of October 24:
-10:00 Attendees arrive; begin to sign Green TEA Party petitions; attendees are assigned to be part of the three, five or zero of the human sculpture, talk to non-profits.
-10:45 to 11:15: Human sculpture formed; pictures taken.
-11:15 to 11:45: Presentations.
-11:45 to 12:59: Mingle, disburse and depart.

RSVP to Russell McGee in Tucson, via the www.350.org website. Participants for the photo are asked to wear light-colored (yellow or white) head gear, so leave your black Cowboy hats at home.

Another 350 action that same day is “350 for 350 Tucson Bike Race”, an 8 mile ride from 9 to 10 a.m. starting at Hi Corbett Field parking lot at Randolph Park. Visit the 350.org website to sign up.

Nothing to do on September 26 and 27???

Check out the 9th Annual Butterfly Festival and Plant Sale at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road. “There are a lot of fun activities for the entire family. Spend the day at the Museum learning about these ‘jewels of the air’. There will be live butterflies and caterpillars, a plant sale, children’s activities and gardening classes happening throughout the day.”

The Plant Sale starts at 7:30 a.m. both days, followed by the activities till 3 p.m.–such as Butterfly Crafts, Face Painting, Butterfly Antennae, Live caterpillars and chrysalids, Microscopes, Running Wild (live animal presentations), Live and (sort of) on the Loose (venomous reptiles), Butterfly Gardening Class.

I can’t believe this is the 9th annual festival, as I must have missed the first eight. I’ve been to see the butterflies at the Tucson Botanical Garden, but this festival sounds like a lot of fun for the kids.

Admission prices: September – May
$13 Adults
$4.25 Kids 6-12

Children 5 and under are ALWAYS free!