In 1947, the United States had emerged from the Great Depression and World War II as a world super power.
But in the spring of that year government officials wanted to rekindle feelings of a national identity and create an awareness of an American heritage.
Their idea was to have a "freedom train," which would travel to all 48 states and bring to the nation's citizens its most treasured documents.
Attorney General Tom Clark, the train's biggest proponent, said its mission would be to "reawaken in the American people, the loyalty it is known they have for the American way of life."
The seven-car train, painted red, white and blue, began its journey on Sept. 17, 1947 in Philadelphia and carried such items as the Iwo Jima flag, the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and the Bill of Rights.
By the time the campaign ended, the train would travel more than 37,000 miles and be seen by 3.5 million people. It even had a song written for it by Irving Berlin and performed by Bing Crosby among others.
Syracuse's turn came on November 5. It was the finale of a week of patriotism.
It began on Saturday, November 1. The Post-Standard reported that "one of the biggest crowds in Syracuse's history lined Erie Blvd." to view a Freedom Parade.
An estimated 40,000 spectators watched marchers, bands and floats while children took a "freedom pledge" at Clinton Square from Congressman R. Walter Riehlman and Judge Truman Preston.
Richard Pass, chairman of Syracuse mayor Frank Costello's American Heritage program, told the children: "In many countries throughout the world today young people do not has these freedoms. You are the proud masters of tomorrow, for in America government is servant and the people are the boss."
The next day, a somber 1,000 people stood outside the New York Central train station as eight caskets were delivered, the first of 1,140 of Onondaga County's World War II dead to be returned home from overseas.
"Women wept openly, and men stood in stoic silence" as the caskets were moved to the Armory, where 3,200 attended a memorial service.
The Freedom Train rolled into town about 7 a.m. on November 5 at the Regional Market.
Thousands were lined up early despite an icy cold rain. The Herald-Journal reported: "school children, housewives, farmers and business people arrived. They were armed with umbrellas, heavy coats and sandwiches and the persistent spirit to see original documents of our history."
More than a dozen school buses "from cities and villages far and wide" poured into the area and hundreds of cars parked at MacArthur Stadium.
As many as 5,000 people at a time waited in a line that stretched for a half-mile around the train. Nobody left when they were told that only 1,000 people per hour would see the exhibits.
"Some privileged" Boy Scouts were the first allowed to enter.
"Gee, the ink is so faded you can hardly read the writing," said one Scout as he looked at the Bill of Rights while others giggled at the "funny lettering."
Boy Scout David Lyon, 13, gets help from Marine Sgt. John Klenotiz as he studies the Declaration of Independence on the Freedom Train on Nov. 5, 1947.
A letter written by Christopher Columbus drew attention although no one could read the Latin. The biggest hit among the boys were papers from World War II, which the they had just lived through.
"I remember when that happened," said one boy pointing at Japan's surrender.
Despite the long lines, the crowd was considered orderly. Boys played catch with empty popcorn boxes and students took turns singing their schools' fight songs.
As people neared the train's entrance though, "chattering and singing diminished noticeably."
The average visitor spent about 30 minutes inside. After leaving, they signed the "Freedom Pledge" scrolls which would be placed permanently in the Library of Congress.
"It was worth it" was the most common statement of those who took part. The Herald-Journal also said that after looking at the nation's documents, "corrected and revised, many reached the encouraging conclusion that out 'forefathers were people, too, and made mistakes just as we do."
The train closed at 10 p.m., an unlucky 200 or so still in line.
The Post-Standard said 12,237 went through the Freedom Train that day, "considered nearly a record for a day's exhibition."
This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle: Email | 315-427-3958.