Morganton in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Charters of Freedom
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
1. Charters of Freedom Marker
The original Charters of Freedom are on display in The Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776.
The United States Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, ratified in 1788, and went into effect March 4, 1789.
The Bill of Rights was proposed September 25, 1789, as 12 amendments; ten were ratified December 15, 1791. The remaining two were not ratified but appear on the original document. These first Ten Amendments ratified are our Bill of Rights.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Colonial Era • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1776.
Location. 35° 44.743′ N, 81° 41.249′ W. Marker is in Morganton, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is at the intersection of East Union Street (Business U.S. 70) and South Sterling Street (North Carolina Route 18), on the left when traveling west on East Union Street. The display cases are on the north side of the Historic Burke County Courthouse. The marker is on the rear side of the far right display. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Burke County Veterans K.I.A. Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Morganton (within shouting distance of this marker); Burke Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Our Confederate Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Sam J. Ervin, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Tod R. Caldwell (within shouting distance of this marker); WWII Burke County Dead (about
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
2. Full view of Charters of Freedom Marker on the north side of the Historic Burke County Courthouse
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
3. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Declaration of Independence
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
4. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the U.S. Constitution
Photographed by Mark Parker, March 16, 2025
5. The Charters of Freedom Marker - replica display of the Bill of Rights
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 21, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
