US Embassy Opens Travelling Exhibition Marking 250 Years of Innovation

Bratislava 9 September (TASR) - The US Embassy in Slovakia on Tuesday (8 September) opened a travelling educational exhibition in Bratislava entitled 'Happy Birthday, America! 250 Years of Innovation', held to mark the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence. The exhibition tells the story of American ideas, science, culture and technological progress, as well as some of the country's most significant moments. It's come to the capital in September after stops in central and southern Slovakia, and it will later travel to Zvolen and Kosice. "We wanted to do more than simply look back at the past. We wanted to celebrate the engine that has driven the United States since its founding. And that engine is innovation. Innovation, however, means much more than just technology. It can mean new ideas, new forms of art and culture or, quite simply, the ability to look at a problem and ask ourselves — isn't there a better way?" said US Embassy's charge d'affaires Heather Rogers. The exhibition takes visitors through key areas in which American innovations have had a major impact on everyday life around the world. One of the thematic sections focuses on founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence (1776), the US Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights, as well as the gradual expansion of voting rights and the separation of powers. It also presents technological breakthroughs and inventions, including Alexander Graham Bell's telephone and Thomas Edison's light bulb, as well as the Moon landing and space research, recalling the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Other sections focus on transport and mobility, culture, art and sport, as well as science, medicine and international assistance. The opening was attended also by Erik Illes, deputy mayor of Bratislava's Old Town, where the exhibition is being held. According to Illes, the exhibition highlights a history associated not only with courage and democracy, but also with the ability to develop new ideas, push the boundaries of knowledge and turn ideas into reality. "None of us can say exactly what awaits us in 20 or 30 years. It is therefore all the more important to remain open to what is coming and to be able to respond to change," said Illes in his speech. mf/df