RELEASED: Oct. 17, 2002

DANVILLE, KY—Centre students, faculty, staff, alumni, area community members and friends of the College are encouraged to help set a Guinness Book world record Nov. 3-5 when the Declaration of Independence comes to campus.

A marathon reading of the Declaration and other historical documents will take place those days at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts. The goal is to top the record of 52 hours. The reading begins at 1 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Norton Center.

For more information about taking part in the Guinness Book reading, contact Sarah Scott at (859) 238-5471 or e-mail scott@centre.edu.

One of the few surviving original copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed July 4, 1776, will be on display throughout much of the time allotted for the Guinness record attempt. The historic document, which set forth ideals for human rights that have become the blueprint for democracy in American and around the world, can be viewed each day from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Along with the opportunity to view the document, there will be two video presentations featuring Mel Gibson, Morgan Freeman, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Douglas, Kevin Spacey and other stars. Free copies of the Declaration will be handed out to each student who attends the presentation.

Nate Olson, a junior from Owensboro, Ky., had a chance to see the Declaration this summer while interning at the Carter Center in Atlanta.

"I hope that Centre students can see in the document their place in history," he said. "It's a very direct reminder that the United States was once—not very long ago—far from the superpower it is today and could well be again without that vision."

For additional information or to schedule a visit for a group, please call (859) 238-4692 or toll-free at (877) 448-7469. Special student group tours will begin every 20 minutes between 9 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4. Space is limited, so call and reserve your time today.

Also, visit http://www.independenceroadtrip.org/.

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