The phrase "Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty" is widely attributed to Thomas Jefferson. There's no verifiable primary source from Jefferson to confirm he said or wrote it.  However, this powerful maxim serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with freedom. An inscription of the phrase can be found on one of four sentinel statues outside the National Archives in Washington, D.C. With a pleasing hand feel and a smooth writing experience, our Eternal Vigilance ballpoint pen with stylus issues a subtle reminder of who we are as Americans. Featuring the National Archives eagle logo, this makes a nice addition to the office or home and is also a terrific gift for history enthusiasts.

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. Written in 1787, the Constitution originally consisted of seven Articles that outlined the structure and function of the federal government. These articles established the framework for the three branches of government (the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary), defined their powers, and addressed the relationship between federal and state governments.

The Constitution united the citizens of individual states into a national identity, deriving its power from “We the People of the United States.”

On December 13, 1952, the Charters of Freedom traveled from the Library of Congress to the National Archives in a procession of tanks in an armored personnel carrier. Upon arrival, the documents were placed in a custom-built, 50 ton, steel and concrete, bomb- and fire-proof safe.

The original Constitution is on permanent display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.