161. Nixon, Richard. Partly-printed document signed (“Richard Nixon”) as President, 1 page (23 x 19 in.; 584 x 483 mm.), Washington, D.C., 3 July 1969, appointing Daniel J. Boorstin a Member of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. Cosigned“William P Rogers” as Secretary of State. Fine 3.5 in. diameter Seal of the United States with scalloped edges affixed at lower left. Mounted on board. Fine condition.

Looking forward to America’s bicentennial, President Nixon appoints historian and Librarian of Congress, Daniel J. Boorstin, to the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission.

The document reads in part: Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the Integrity and Ability of Daniel J. Boorstin of Illinois, I do appoint him a Member of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, and do authorize and empower him to execute and fulfill the duties of that Office according to law, and to have and to hold the said Office, with all the powers and privileges thereunto if right appertaining, unto him the said Daniel J. Boorstin, during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being…”

On 3 July 1969, the day he signed this document, President Nixon stated, “In the life of a person, no birthday is ever quite like the one before it. The same is true of a nation. Each Fourth of July America is 1 year older, 1 year’s growth larger, 1 year richer in knowledge and experience. As we celebrate this Fourth, it is appropriate that we look not only back, but also ahead. Only 7 years from now, the United States will celebrate its 200th birthday. Already, these two centuries have been a time of unparalleled human achievement. The next 7 years – beginning with man’s first footstep on the moon – promise to be a time of momentous events … Three years ago, Congress provided for the creation of an American Revolution Bicentennial Commission ‘to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the American Revolution’ … I have today named 17 distinguished Americans to be members of that Commission…”

Daniel Boorstin served as the director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of History and Technology (today known as the National Museum of American History) from 1969-1973 when he became Senior Historian. He was awarded the 1974 Pulitzer Prize in History. From 1975-1987, Boorstin served as the nation’s 12th Librarian of Congress. A 1987 Act of Congress named Boorstin as only the second Librarian of Congress Emeritus, serving until his death in 2004. $2,000 - $3,000