Monday, February 02, 2009

"1776" ... America's freedom roused tempers

"You've come to the one colony that can get job done: Virginia. The land that gave us our glorious commander in chief, George Washington, will now give the congress its proposal on independence. Where Virginia goes the South is bound to follow. And where the South goes, the middle colonies go! Gentlemen, a salute to Virginia, the mother of American independence!"
Richard Henry Lee, Virginia Patriot

My recent experience has been that some who preach history the most are the ones who practice it the least.

On this snowy winter night we are couched in around the woodstove and watching the movie "1776" about the birth of America which is reportedly historically based on the notes of the secretary from the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia and letters between John Adams and his wife.

Don't remember your history? This movie, based on the long-running Broadway play, will refresh it.

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
The Declaration of Independence
by Thomas Jefferson, Virginia Patriot


American liberation was not a pretty process as representatives from the 13 colonies were pitted against one another ... shouting, arguing, cajoling ... naysayers were certain 2 million American subjects could not go up against 10 million British. Parliamentary procedure was used to the nth degree ... it was the birth of a nation and no one called in law enforcement to stop the process.

Patriots pushed on, convincing the naysayers that it could be done. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson ... all were vital in leading a new nation.

They believed ... they never gave up ... they were willing to risk everything for the principles they believed in.

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry, Virginia Patriot

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good to finally find someone else who is just as unabashed for their love of 1776 as I am!

Lynn R. Mitchell said...

There is a room of us here who feel like you about 1776! I am such a history nerd. :)