National Treasure

Benjamin Gates, a charismatic and resourceful archaeologist, is a direct descendant of John Gates, a soldier and patriot who, according to family legend, discovered the first key to a vast treasure hidden by three of America's founding fathers: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The story goes that during the Revolutionary War, the three men hid a chest filled with gold and other precious artifacts, burying it underground to safeguard the United States' young government from British creditors and potential economic collapse. The theory behind the hidden treasure suggests that the founding fathers intentionally encoded clues to the treasure's location within the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. These subtle hints, though nearly imperceptible to the untrained eye, would have been invaluable to their fellow compatriots, allowing them to rediscover the treasure in times of need. Ben Gates has a personal stake in uncovering the truth behind the treasure, driven by his own ambitions and family legacy. However, not everyone is as enthusiastic about Gates' quest. Ian Howe, a ruthless treasure hunter and former friend of Gates', is hot on the trail of the treasure as well, hell-bent on claiming the riches for himself. Alongside Abigail Chase, a stunning and intelligent museum curator, and Riley Poole, Gates' tech-savvy friend, Ben sets out to decipher the cryptic clues scattered throughout the nation's most revered historical documents. Their investigation leads them from dusty archives in Washington D.C. to the very walls of the U.S. Capitol, the nation's most iconic repository of history and culture. They explore countless historical sites, scratching for any morsel that might reveal the treasure's whereabouts. Ben, fueled by his convictions and adrenaline-fueled obsession, convinces Abigail, initially skeptical of the idea, to join him on his perilous journey. In the process, they unravel complex puzzles hidden within documents signed by the founding fathers themselves. Throughout his journey, Ben must juggle the pressure from Ian Howe's shadowy presence, who will stop at nothing to sabotage Ben's progress. Abigail, who starts off a reluctant participant, slowly begins to get caught up in Ben's infectious enthusiasm as they delve deeper into the history books, unearthing the roots of American independence. Furthermore, as Ben delves into America's colonial history, he reflects upon the nature of patriotism and the true cost of national freedom. By grasping the narratives laid out in key documents – from the eloquent text of the Declaration of Independence to the spirited Federalist Papers – Ben refines his theories on how the founding fathers hid their wealth. Amidst heated courtrooms battles, cryptic codes, historical battles, and rival treasure hunters, Gates navigates centuries-old cryptography. Each thread leads him closer to his ultimate goal, proving that in America, patriotism has become an idea forged through great sacrifice, not just clever mathematics or treasure hoards. It wasn't until the last, intricate clues resided within Washington's Crossing took the nation into full-blown chaos; thus, Abigail's 'family fortune' didn't lie in silver or gold as she had believed. There was value to Ben's centuries-old passion and adventurous companionship. On his ancestral trip to find long-lost riches, what sealed history, especially at end of day's sunset reflected upon history prior value.