The Glorious Cause of America

“We are in the very midst of a revolution,” wrote John Adams, “the most complete, unexpected and remarkable of any in the history of nations” (136).

The Book

It is incredible to think of all that happened during one pivotal year and author David McCullough uses 1776 to unpack a variety of perspectives and events.

The book is split into three parts: The Siege [of Boston], Fateful Summer, and The Long Retreat. To help provide background, the first part begins in London as King George III opens Parliament in October 1775. McCullough takes the time to describe the character of King George III, the perspective of Great Britain, and the various voices raised regarding potential war with the Colonies. I found this first chapter helpful because I honestly didn’t know much about this part of history. The second chapter introduces the reader to the Colonies and the Continental Army laying siege to Boston. Throughout the rest of the book, McCullough intertwines the stories and perspectives of Great Britain and the Continental Army.

What struck me the most were McCullough’s descriptions of the Continental Army, which at the beginning really wasn’t an army. It was a collection of rag-tag volunteers who lacked discipline and uniformity, whose camp was plagued with filth and sickness, and who was constantly in danger of losing men whose enlistment was up. It made me marvel at the eventual success and that it held together long enough for success. In fact, 1776 was not a year of military victories for General Washington and his men. The one constant was the courage and perseverance of those who truly believed in the fight for independence.

1776 builds upon what we learn in school to help provide new perspectives and a greater understanding. It dives deeper into one year, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader. There are numerous mini stories that help to place the reader in the story and McCullough uses them to introduce us to average people (Loyalists, Hessian soldiers, Patriots, and members of the Continental Army).

The Place
The Museum of the American Revolution is a welcome addition to Philadelphia’s list of landmarks; a museum that houses the artifacts and walks a visitor through the story of American independence. It is a fully immersive museum that takes full advantage of technological advancements. Artifacts and reproductions are interspersed with touch screens to help visitors learn more. The story told by the Museum of the American Revolution covers all the subplots from start to finish, leaving visitors with a greater appreciation for the everyday patriots committed to independence.

Nestled among numerous other sites important to the story of 1776, the Museum of the American Revolution is easy to get to by car or public transportation. When I visited, we took the PATCO Speedline from South Jersey and walked to the museum. There are also several parking garages in the area. Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum.

One of the gems of Philadelphia is the close proximity of the landmarks. Carpenters Hall (the location of the First Continental Congress) is across the street from the museum. A short walking distance away is Benjamin Franklin’s home and Betsy Ross’s home. Even if you do not have time to tour these places, it is still a neat experience to walk through so much history.

The Signers

Signing The Declaration of Independence was “without a doubt an enormous, life-threatening risk, and if the colonies had not been triumphant-and honestly, it’s astounding that they were-these men would have surely been, as they used to say back in the day, fitted with a halter” (Signing Their Lives Away, page 9). 

The Book

Growing up in America, every kid learns about the Founding Fathers: Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Franklin. But, what about the many men who signed The Declaration of Independence? What was their background and how did they end up in Philadelphia in 1776?

Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed The Declaration of Independence seeks to answer those questions. Authors, Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese provide a brief biography of all fifty-six signers and little known facts. The biographies are listed alphabetically by state, just like the signatures on The Declaration of Independence.

The signers included: Elbridge Gerry, the father of gerrymandering in American politics;  Francis Hopkinson, designer of the first American flag; Richard Stockton, the only signer with a rest-stop on the New Jersey Turnpike named after him; and George Taylor, who came to America as an indentured servant. 

The Place 

Philadelphia is full of history. The brick buildings and cobblestone streets hearken back to a time when America was just thirteen loosely affiliated colonies. A tourist destination for decades, Philadelphia is the spot to explore the birth of America. I have been to Philadelphia more times than I can count, but I still enjoy the visit.

The tour of Independence Hall allows you to step into the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed and imagine the arguments for and against a split from Great Britain. Just across the street is the Liberty Bell. Originally it hung in Independence Hall, but has been moved to a spot where all visitors can see it up close.

As a kid, one of my favorite sites in Philadelphia was Franklin Court on Market St. in between 4^th and 3^rd Streets. Above ground is a steel structure that resembles the outline of Benjamin Franklin’s house which  stood on this spot. Underground is the Benjamin Franklin Museum. I enjoyed this site because of a room that was filled with telephones. You can pick up the phones and listen to other historical people talk about Benjamin Franklin. A great hands-on experience for kids!

Note: According to the National Park Service website, the underground museum closed for 18 months (starting June 2011) for a complete renovation. Before you visit, check with the site to see if the museum is open again.