As we enter the 4th of July weekend, replete with picnics, parades, and ballgames, it is important to remember what it is we are celebrating: our birthday. We are the most industrious, prosperous, compassionate, freest people in the history of humankind and we should take time to remember that collection of men who met in Philadelphia 234 years ago and played midwife to the birth of a new nation.
To that end, I highly recommend that you rent the movie 1776 (although TCM often airs the film during this time). A musical based on the Broadway play of the same name, it tells the story of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. When our girls were little, we made viewing this film part of our Independence Day celebration. The dialogue and many of the lyrics are actually taken from the historic record and are woven together to tell a tale that is often humorous and always inspiring. I'm not ashamed to say that it has left me teary, so moving is this story.
The scene below, when the committee charged with drafting the Declaration has to decide who should be the principal author, demonstrates the excellent writing and fine acting that went into this production. I hope you enjoy it as well as this Independence Day weekend. I also hope you will pause and remember our founders, as well as all those soldiers who, from Bunker Hill to Baghdad, have insured the continuation of our founders vision.
I was thinking about that movie yesterday. I absolute-LEE! need to watch it this weekend. :)
Posted by: Becky | July 02, 2010 at 11:17 AM