Great Seal Sightings Two of 17 paintings by students at Treasure Village Montessori Charter School displayed in conjunction with the U.S. Diplomacy Center's exhibit on June 14th at the Keys to Peace festival in Florida. February 12, 2008: The United States Diplomacy Center opened its Exhibition Celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the Great Seal. "People are just not aware of the complexity and intent of the symbolism and what our Founding Fathers were trying to do with it. The hidden treasure in the Seal is the courage and presence of mind of the people who created it." – Priscilla Linn, Senior Curator at the U.S. Diplomacy Center Key concepts overlooked in the current debate about another founding document: "A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." The new book by symbologist Robert Hieronimus (with Laura Cortner) is a fascinating exploration into the historical, contextual, and possible esoteric origins of the Great Seal's eagle and eye, the Liberty Bell and Goddess of Liberty, the American Flag and capital city of Washington DC. Whatever knowledge you have, you're sure to come away with renewed appreciation for these iconic symbols and their designers. Not only is this timely book an inspiring reminder of the original unifying ideals of America's farsighted founders, it is also an impassioned defense of her beloved symbols. Himself having delved deeply into their esoteric dimensions, Hieronimus is well-qualified to intelligently deconstruct the faulty assumptions and expose the rigid one-dimensional interpretations put forth by what he calls the fundamentalist-conspiratorialist mindset of those taking on the role of "new Tories," 21st-century opponents of the American Revolution. So if you're sick of hearing rants about imagined connections between America's founding symbols and evil conspiracies – whether Illuminati or Masonic, political or economic – then The United Symbolism of America is the antidote you've been waiting for. On front of the new $5 bill issued March 13, 2008 is the eagle side of the Great Seal, and on the 'tails' side of the new Bald Eagle Commemorative Silver Dollar is the first Great Seal die that was in use from 1782 to 1841. A key image in National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a variation on the eagle side of the Great Seal. Disney's marketing tie-in, The President's Book Blog offers a cornucopia of conspiracy theories, including the one about how the pyramid & eye got on the one-dollar bill. We see the famous Resolute desk which has the old Seal of the President. Symbolic Solidarity with Tibet "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof." Other Sections of GreatSeal.com Preliminary Designs suggested by three committees Myth and Misinformation about the Great Seal Symbols on the Seal's two sides Mottoes of the Great Seal Front page overview