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July 04, 2006
Did your cookout get rained out today?
KUHT (PBS) is broadcasting the entire series of LIBERTY! The American Revolution today. LIBERTY! The American Revolution is a dramatic documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. The George Foster Peabody award-winning series brings the people, events and ideas of the revolution to life through military reenactments and dramatic recreations performed by a distinguished cast.
EPISODE 1: "The Reluctant Revolutionaries" 1763-1774
In 1763, the capitol city of America is London, George Washington is lobbying for a post in the British army, and no one thinks of Boston harbor when they hear talk of tea parties. In a dozen years, the colonies are on the brink of rebellion. What happens to bring this country so quickly near war with England?
EPISODE 2: "Blows Must Decide" 1774-1776
A total break from Great Britain remains hard for Americans to imagine, even after shots are fired at Lexington and Concord. Words push matters "Over the Edge" in 1776. Common Sense argues that it is the natural right of men to govern themselves. The Declaration of Independence declares this same idea a "self-evident" truth. For Americans, there is no looking back. There will be war with England.
EPISODE 3: "The Times That Try Men's Souls" 1776-1777
Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force arrives in New York harbor. Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping garrison in Trenton.
EPISODE 4: "Oh Fatal Ambition" 1777-1778
The "united" states remain in dire need of funds and military support. Congress dispatches Benjamin Franklin to France in hopes of creating an alliance which will provide both. Meanwhile, a British army marches down the Hudson River trying to cut off New England from the other colonies. The British are crushed by Americans at Saratoga. The French enter the conflict on the American side.
EPISODE 5: "The World Turned Upside Down" 1778-1783
The British hope to exploit the issue of slavery and to enlist the support of loyalists in the south. They fail. After a series of brutal engagements, the British army heads for Virginia, only to be trapped by the miraculous convergence of Washington's army and the French fleet at Yorktown. The end of the war is at hand.
EPISODE 6: "Are We to Be a Nation? 1783-1788
Peace comes to the United States, but governing the world's newest republic is no simple task. Congress is ineffectual and individual states act like sovereign nations. By the time the Constitutional Convention convenes in 1787, many wonder if the country can survive. The long ratification process helps define what sort of nation the United States is to be—a process that continues to this day.
Posted by Aimee Mobley Turney at July 4, 2006 12:25 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Thank you, Aimee, for that neat history lesson. I read it after watching Washington D.C.'s July 4th celebration (Emcee Jason Alexander singing and dancing--JASON ALEXANDER!!for god's sake--and Stevie Wonder singing on and on and on), and then Boston's (Emcee'd not only by Dr. Phil at the top of his lungs but also by his lovely wife, who had trouble with the cue cards. Boston probably has either an actress/actor or an opera singer living on every block all the way out to Concord, and the producers chose Dr. Phil. Maybe they think the whole damn country needs some psychoanalysis. They may have something there.)
I found myself breathlessly awaiting the dropping of that big ol' American flag from the ceiling of the Boston Shell-on-the-Charles while the Boston Philharmonic played "The Stars and Stripes Forever" at the top of its lungs. ("The Stars and Stripes Forever" would give me goosebumps even if Karl Rove played the piccolo solo.)(Come to think of it,if Karl Rove played anything, it would have to be a solo because at sight of him, every decent Bostonian--orchestra and audience--would be outta there and halfway to Cambridge before the march was over.)
What was missing from both "celebrations" was the kind of patrriotism born of our love of our country. I don't love my country any less than I used to. I just wonder where My Country is. Where is the America that I want God to bless and shed his grace on and crown her good with brotherhood? I greatly fear that she is lost in the Bush and waiting for us to find her.
Your history lesson, Aimee, reminds me what we're looking for. Thank you again and happy Fourth of July.
Posted by: Muriel Stubbs at July 5, 2006 12:20 AM
Hey thanks, Muriel! I noticed you didn't have anything to say about the Boston Pops backing Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith. Love both groups of musicians but seriously, who the heck chose the songs? The rock scream/cry in Dream On is one of my favorites but I was in the other room and thought my dog might must've caught his tail in the door. It was a high pitched cry, one that dogs only make when they are seriously injured and without the rest of Aerosmith to back it up, it was miserable.
Our country is still here, Muriel. We just need to keep pointing it out to those who have forgotten why we are here. My family has been here for several generations but there was a common thread among most of my ancestors. Most were members of the Methodist movement and although most of my ancestors settled as they moved West, my father's family didn't stop moving along with their missionary work until they reached California and settled in Watts.
Posted by: Aimee Mobley Turney at July 5, 2006 04:31 PM