1776 – Musical Drama Film That Still Makes Me Really Think About What the Second Continental Congress Was Like
As genealogists, we always have to be careful of confusing fiction, fantasy and downright wishful thinking with reality.
That said, it doesn’t mean that we cannot appreciate fiction, fantasy and downright wishful thinking – we do it all the time outside genealogy in terms of what we watch on tv and in movie theatres or online and via our reading materials.
Recently, my daughter and I re-watched the movie 1776. Though the movie is filled, as are all historically-based ones with inaccuracies (see Wikipedia article for those details) and most find it mediocre, the premise of how our founding fathers and the Second Continental Congress played out is not without merit.
Every time I watch it, I am amazed at what it took for our nation to declare independence from the British Empire. The many varied interests and perspectives that had to come together to both agree on creating a Declaration of Independence and then hammer one out that was agreeable enough to most that 56 delegates signed it.
It is really thought provoking. It makes me stop and think that, in some ways, it’s a miracle that, today, we are celebrating a document that is 241 years old and just as easily might never have happened.
However you are celebrating today (or not for those serving in our military and staffing emergency services and more), please take a moment and realize the magnitude of this day in history and those who made it happen.
And, I will still enjoy the movie and the songs including “Is Anybody There?” and “The Egg” and more. Always remember the real people who authored such a monumental document.
Is there a “movie” that you like to watch that similarly makes you aware of elements of a historical event that you hadn’t previously appreciated in quite the same way?
Editor’s Note: If you liked this post, Historical fiction often involves a LOT of history and genealogy research! And 2016 Society of American Archivists Short Fiction Contest Winner -- Family Stories might also interest you.
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