Elitism, Bias, and David McCullough in the Study of History

Do you remember when John Adams by David McCullough first hit the bestseller list? I do. And, being a fan of that era of history, I was probably one of the first to scoop up a copy. And I remember telling a friend of mine - a university professor friend of mine - that I was enjoying John Adams.



I was surprised to hear his sneering over the phone, as my friend - my university professor friend - had very few good things to say about "popular" history writers like David McCullough. McCullough, my university professor friend explained to me, was not a "REAL historian."

Looking back, I am amazed that my scholar friend had the patience to walk me through this position. After all, HE was a scholar, an academic, a university professor, an esteemed member of enlightened academia. And I....well...I was a member of the proleteriat class - at least intellectually speaking. Why, I only had a bachelor's degree (at the time) and my friend, well, he had a P....H.....D. Yessir, HE was the REAL deal! Me? Well...at least....I could read.

That conversation served up (for me) a real serious dose of academic elitism. And it was crystal clear to me that David McCullough, as terrific a writer and researcher as he is, will never shake off the snobbery of his critics. Why?

I think it boils down to two reasons...

1) Academic Elitism

Academic elitism, according to Wikipedia, is essentially "the view that only someone who has engaged in serious scholarship has anything worthwhile to say on any given topic." Of course, those truly in the "academic elite" category are likely to cringe at my citing Wikipedia - for any reason - but I doubt very many people would question that definition.

Due to such elitism, bestselling historical writers like the late Stephen Ambrose and the Pulitzer winner David McCullough are routinely dismissed in the historical scholarship community.

Indeed, one historian, writing for Slate, dismissed McCullough's 1776 as "vapid mythmaking." He derided it as a "rousing, feel-good tale of how George Washington led a ragtag crew of continental soldiers into their fateful battle for independence." And as I read those words, I couldn't help but scream, "What's wrong with a rousing, feel-good tale about George Washington leading a ragtag crew of continental soldiers into their fateful battle for independence??!!!"



To be fair, this writer did concede that academic historians write too much for themselves - and that their writing has become rather....boring. He was more sophisticated than using the word "boring," but that's what he meant. And he's right.

The "academic elites" excel at making history boring, whereas people like David McCullough should be credited (by EVERYONE - especially those "jargon-clotted" academics) for making history fun, interesting, and (yes) ALIVE! McCullough is making FANS out of history - and that's a good thing! For that, McCullough should be praised - since if McCullough's dreams come true (dreams he has publicly expressed), it will mean MORE young people pursuing historical studies in high school and college.

Nevertheless, academic elitism is deeply entrenched in our universities - no matter how many bestsellers McCullough turns out or how many young people he inspires.

2) Liberal Bias

I know my left-of-center readers will get mad at me for using the term "liberal bias," but I have to call it like it is! The truth is that the more "elite" of the academic elites in the field of historical studies are....well....liberal. Let's be honest.

I can hear you asking: "Are you saying that only liberals have elites?" Well, the truth is that conservative elites don't tend to be in academia. (If you want to find conservative elites, head to Wall Street or to the high-brow country clubs. But don't look for them in the universities).

In the world of academia, conservatives (those right of center in today's political, religious, and cultural discussions) tend to believe that historical scholarship is open to anyone willing to work hard and engage in ethical and critical research.

(This isn't to say that there aren't some conservative cranks out there. Trust me, there are. But conservatives aren't barring the door to historical scholarship. You don't typically find conservatives checking ID cards and academic papers before letting people in the door).

The reason, I think, isn't so much that liberals are engaged in a conspiracy to take over America. Liberals are no more interested in advancing their agenda than conservatives. I don't mean "liberal bias" in any kind of sinister way. What I think is at work here is that there's a fundamental difference in worldviews.

Some examples of this...

I don't know David McCullough's politics. My hunch is that he's a moderate Democrat of the Hubert Humphrey era. (Some of my readers may know more about this. If so, chime in). If I'm right, then McCullough is a centrist - liberal on some issues, but somewhat traditional in his general view of America. I consider this a good thing. A healthy thing. But, alas, my liberal readers and friends will disagree. And that's my point!

David McCullough believes it's healthy and desirable to celebrate our heroes. His 1776 is a clear celebration of George Washington, which the writer for the left-leaning Slate derides. Liberals pooh-pooh this, believing it better to emphasize previously disadvantaged or dispossessed sectors of society.

For my own part, I believe we can do both. And, I think, McCullough would agree. BUT...I would add (and I believe McCullough would agree with this too) that there are REASONS why certain individuals rise to the top of society. There are reasons why history has traditionally focused on leaders like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Harry Truman, and Martin Luther King. Among those reasons is the fact that the people (including some of those disadvantaged groups) CHOSE to FOLLOW those leaders.

And this brings us full circle. Historians like Ray Raphael are wrong to protest the celebration of figures like Washington. Why? Because the masses that Raphael CLAIMS to represent in his work celebrated Washington. That's right. Washington didn't impose himself on the people of America. The people of America embraced Washington.

It's not just the celebration of heroes over groups that separates conservatives and liberals in history, but also the celebration of certain ideas. Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States is a favorite of many liberals, because Zinn gives a full, gut-wrenching condemnation of America's past (something fashionable in most left-of-center circles). By contrast, Thomas G. West's Vindicating the Founders is ridiculed, because West dares to contextualize and defend the Founders over sins for which the Academic Left has long since pronounced guilt and shame on America's heritage.



And, finally, there's the whole debate over the nature of truth itself. Liberals tend to be more sympathetic to the notion that truth is relative and that much (some say most) of history is unknowable. You just don't find that many postmodern relativists in conservative circles.

Bringing this to a conclusion, I have to tell you that my friend (my university professor friend) changed his mind on McCullough. He called back a couple weeks later to tell me that he was wrong about John Adams. He was, indeed, impressed with McCullough's research and analysis. I was surprised. A scholar with humility. It told me that there was still hope.

Indeed, with writers like David McCullough out there, there is still hope.

David McCullough Praises Library of Congress

Award-winning historian David McCullough praises the Library of Congress in a speech after being named a "living legend"...

Getting Shot by a Musket

What was it like to be shot by a musket? I'm going to assume that none of my readers have had that experience. If so, do tell. Should be an interesting story. But, assuming no one has been shot with a musket, I ask the question again -- What must it have been like to be shot by one?

The most common weapon of the American Revolution was the smoothbore flintlock musket. The advantage to the target is that a smoothbore musket isn't very accurate. If you're the target, your chances of being missed are much greater than if you were in, say, World War II and coming under fire from a machine gun. But...

The advantages pretty much end there. To give you an idea...the Brown Bess British musket was 75 caliber and the Brits used a 69 caliber ball. If hit by one of these 69 caliber balls, it would hurt. A lot.

A musket ball didn't cut its way into you. It smashed through skin, bone, and muscle - and sometimes would then bounce around even more inside your body (doing even greater damage). If you were fortunate, the musket ball would pass clean through you - a simple in-and-out flesh wound, perhaps damaging some nerves and muscle tissue. But if it impacted bone, you were in trouble.

Of course, once wounded, your problems were only beginning. You would need medical care. And medical care in the Revolutionary War wasn't exactly...well...good. This wasn't the fault of the practitioners (not in most cases anyway). Medicine simpy hadn't developed to a point that it could adequately keep up with the diseases, hardships, and injuries of the Revolutionary War period. For a good overview of the medical problem, go here.

Getting back to that accuracy issue...the tactics of the day took the musket's limited range and accuracy into account. This is where volley lines and bayonets come in. A mass of soldiers standing shoulder-to-shoulder firing their muskets in a unified direction helped compensate as did the bayonet. If you feared getting hit by a musket ball, getting impaled by a bayonet was even less appealing.

Of course, if you were fortunate enough to escape battlefield injury during the Revolutionary War, you weren't "out of the woods" yet. Far more soldiers died of hardship and disease than on the battlefield. That's right. If musket balls and bayonets didn't get you, there was still something like smallpox to take care of business.

It's hard to find an upside to life in the Revolutionary War period. As historian David McCullough has repeatedly reminded us, life was hard in that time period. Today, we tend to see this era through romanticized paintings. But we need to guard against the assumption that things were easier or better.

I thought this Memorial Day weekend would be a good time to remind us all of that fact.

Battle Road 2008 Tower Park

Some great footage from a Revolutionary War reenactment...



This was apparently posted on YouTube by a fellow Revolutionary War blogger. I'd like to put a plug in for his blog. You can find it here.

Dancing With the Stars...er...Colonials

Not exactly Dancing With the Stars, but hey, this is an American history site, you know...

America, Islam, and the Middle East

Michael Oren is a historian, author and Senior Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. He is also the author of Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present.

Here is an interview I came across on YouTube. I personally am not a fan of Pat Robertson. (To those readers who are, I mean no offense, but my posting this interview is not an endorsement of Pat Robertson or the 700 Club). Still, the interview is worthy of being posted.

Revolutionary War Toy Soldiers

Do you collect toy soldiers? Revolutionary War era toy soldiers are not as popular as Civil War toy soldiers. In fact, American Revolution era toy soldiers are not as high in popularity as most other eras. World War II toy soldiers, medieval era toy soldiers, and ancient era (Greek and Roman) toy soldiers tend to be particularly popular for collectors and wargamers.

According to The Toy Soldier Company, toy soldiers can range from 1/2" to as large as 12" - the most popular being in the area of 2-3" high.

The Toy Soldier Company says that the 2-3 inch scale (better known as the 54mm or 1/32nd scale) provides toy soldiers "big enough to have a good deal of detail, yet small enough to allow you to play with lots of them in a small space." The second most popular scale, according to the toy company, is "HO scale," which is very popular with train enthusiasts and wargamers.

The Toy Soldier Company features several playsets from the American Revolution era, which can be viewed here.

The company Crossroads Diecast (from which I got the above picture) has a set of Revolutionary War era figures here.

You can also shop for American Revolution era toy soldiers on Ebay and Amazon.

For my own part, I loved playing with toy soldiers as a kid. Now that I'm a mature, responsible (ahem) adult, I would love to collect toy soldiers, but it's an expensive hobby. Besides, I wouldn't know where to put them. Still, the boy in me can't resist occasionally dreaming of one day having an elaborate case full of toy soldiers from various eras of American history - especially my favorite era, the American Revolution.

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Benjamin Franklin Success Quotes

Benjamin Franklin was one of the first "success gurus" in American history, as the above video and this article show.

People looking for sound wisdom on how to make and save money, advance in their careers, and/or succeed in business would do well to study Ben Franklin.

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North Bridge Revolutionary War Reenactment

A special episode of "Metal Detecting New England" featuring video clips of the North Bridge Revolutionary War reenactment in Concord on April 19, 2008.



My congratulations to the guys who put this video together. Great job.

How the Americans REALLY Won the Revolution

Did you know that lightsabers weren't invented by George Lucas? No, they were invented by the Continentals in the American Revolution. Don't believe me!? Well, watch this...



I gotta get me one of those lightsaber tomahawks.

Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings: Fact or Fiction

Due to a DNA link between the Jefferson and Hemings families, the allegations first raised during the third President's lifetime that Thomas Jefferson fathered children with slave Sally Hemings have now been widely accepted.

But they have not been completely accepted. Skeptics correctly point out that the DNA evidence links the families, but not Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson directly.

For a rather impressive, scholarly refutation of the alleged Hemings-Jefferson affair, follow this link.

I would ask that you not post your opinion here, until you've at least reviewed the David N. Mayer article linked above. If you disagree with Professor Mayer, that is your right. But we should all strive for informed opinions, especially on controversial subjects such as this one.

Interview with HBO "John Adams" Screenwriter

Here's an interview with HBO "John Adams" series screenwriter Kirk Ellis...

Happy Birthday, James Monroe

Today marks the birthday of the fifth President of the United States -- James Monroe. President Monroe's signal accomplishment was the issuance of the Monroe Doctrine (a document that bears his name, but was actually authored by his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams).

Monroe is also noteworthy for helping expose Alexander Hamilton's adulterous scandal with James Reynolds and (more commendably) being one of the only soldiers wounded at the pivotal battle at Trenton.

What do you think of Monroe's legacy?

Any Liberty's Kids Fans Out There?

Should we Abolish the Electoral College?

Presidents of the United States are not elected by popular vote, but rather by the states of the Union. Each state selects individuals designated as "electors," who then vote on the next President. These electors constitute the "Electoral College."

All fifty states now allow the people to elect the electors. What this means is that individual citizen voters are not casting their ballots directly for the candidate of their choice. Instead, they are voting to select electors committed to their candidate.

If you're confused about what the Electoral College is, let the folks at SchoolHouse Rock explain it to you...



The Electoral College was originally designed to empower the states and to guard against "mob rule." Many critics today are asking if it has outlived its time.

Historian H.W. Brands says that it has. Brands calls the Electoral College "anachronistic" and argues that it's time for it to go.



Political commentator and scholar Larry Sabato takes a more moderate tack. He says we should MEND the Electoral College and not end it.



What do YOU think?

Washington Takes the Oath of Office

I really like how HBO showed the awkwardness and nervousness of the principal characters present at George Washington's swearing-in as President of the United States.



When Washington adds "so help me God" to the presidential oath, those watching this scene truly understand why. It wasn't a political ploy to appeal to Christian voters - not then and not now. As courageous as Washington was in war, he was genuinely troubled by this responsibility he was undertaking. He did not feel himself adequate to the role, and was deeply concerned he would fail. And he knew that failure would not only wreck his reputation, it could also doom the nation. To steal a phrase from the movie Apollo 13: "Failure [was] not an option!" So, Washington placed his fate and that of the United States in the hand of Providence. "So help me God" was indeed an understandable thing to say.

Lexington & Concord

Today (April 19) marks the opening of the American Revolution - the central contest in the making of the United States of America.

It was on this day that British soldiers and armed colonists engaged in their first, serious contest of arms. Ray Raphael, author of A People's History of the American Revolution has pointed out that other stand-offs between colonists and British redcoats had transpired before Lexington. But Lexington was the flash pin. It was the engagement that triggered the war.

For a neat video on the "Shot Heard Round the World," go here.

Robert Morris - The "Mr. Money Bags" of the Revolution

Robert Morris was one of the most crucial individuals in the American War for Independence. Without Morris, it would have been very difficult for Congress and General Washington to sustain the war effort against the British.

Watch this video (hosted on YouTube) from historian Stanley Louis "Stan" Klos on Robert Morris...

Michael Barone on England's Glorious Revolution

What was the influence of England's "Glorious Revolution" on America's War for Independence? Watch these video excerpts from Michael Barone as he discusses the influence of England's "Glorious Revolution" on America's Founders...

Lehrer News Hour Interview with Gordon Wood

One of the most celebrated scholars of the American Revolutionary era is Gordon Wood. In surfing the Web, I came across an interview with Gordon Wood - an interview conducted on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer.

Follow this link for an interview with renowned historian Gordon Wood.

The Death of American History

Thanks to materialism, consumerism, and postmodernism, our nation is sliding deeper into collective apathy and amnesia, when it comes to the study and understanding of its own history.

For a great article on this subject, follow this link to a piece by Brad Hart over at the excellent American Revolution blog.

For a discussion of postmodernism's effect on history, check out this link - which features Australian scholar Keith Windschuttle's remarks at a debate on "History, Truth, and Postmodernism." Windschuttle is the author of The Killing of History.

And, finally, for a great AUDIO resource...check out this link, which features Amy Orr-Ewing, a brilliant theologian, who refutes the postmodernist claim that "We cannot know history." Though her remarks focus on Christian history, her arguments apply to history in general. I highly recommend you listen to her presentation.

Reenactor Videos

See a demonstration of Canadian militia volunteers from War of 1812 era fire volleys...



And then (while not specifically Revolutionary War), this is a really neat video that shows how an attacking army had to advance through withering volley fire on a defensive formation. I would hate to be in the front ranks.

Hollywood Bids Farewell to Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston, one of Hollywood's leading legends of the 1950s and 60s, is dead. Heston was one of America's cultural icons, famous for his Academy-Awarding performance in the chariot-racing epic Ben Hur (my favorite Heston film!) and his turn as Moses in the perennial favorite The Ten Commandments (shown every Easter on TV for years!)

Why am I posting a tribute to Heston on this site? Because Heston twice portrayed one of the leading figures of early 19th century America -- Andrew Jackson.

Heston starred as Jackson in The President's Lady (1953), a movie based on the love affair between Jackson and wife Rachel.

Here's a Susan Hayward promo clip for her role with Heston in The President's Lady...



And Heston later appeared as General Jackson in The Buccaneer, a film starring Yul Brynner as pirate Jean Lafitte. (Heston fans will also remember Brynner as Pharoah Ramses in The Ten Commandments).

Take a few moments to pray for the family of Charlton Heston - and, if you can, get a hold of one of these two classic films and do some reminiscing.

Was George Washington a Great General?

How would you rank George Washington as a general? He lost more battles than he won, and he had an occasional habit of leaving his flanks unprotected. He also could be temperamental at times.

But could anyone else other than George Washington have pulled off an American victory in the Revolutionary War?

No, says Edward Lengel, author of General George Washington, a military biography of America's first general (and later first President).



Lengel argues that Washington may have been only a mediocre battlefield tactician. Indeed, his battlefield record is "mixed." But, says Lengel in the lecture linked below, as an administrator, political general, and moral leader, George Washington was unmatched.



What Lengel points out is that there's more to generalship than battlefield tactics. Generals like Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, and George S. Patton may have been wizards on the battlefield, but that's not all there is to being a general. And this was especially true for the Continental Army in the American Revolution.

This is why Michael Lee Lanning, author of The Military 100, ranks George Washington as the most influential military commander in all of world history! Lanning admits that Washington's high ranking isn't due to battlefield brilliance, but rather to overall generalship - and the indispensable role that Washington played in winning America's independence.



For my own part, I think General Washington's battlefield tactics are sometimes UNDER-rated. It's true that Washington left his flanks unguarded at times, and that he periodically failed to properly reconnoiter the field. However, when pressed to the wall, Washington's brilliance came out.

For one thing, Washington was a masterful escape artist - as was seen in Long Island and just after Trenton (and before Princeton). He was the "Houdini" of the Revolution! For another, Washington was spectacular in sewing seeds of deception in his enemy - through espionage (he was America's first spymaster) or through clever maneuvering. And finally, Washington was audacious when he needed to be - such as at Trenton.

Most importantly (and even those critical of Washington's generalship concede this), George Washington was the most determined leader of the American cause. It's hard to imagine a more desirable concept for the leader of an army that was perpetually outnumbered, ill-equipped, inadequately trained, and poorly paid -- and up against the mightiest empire in the world.

The United States of America is here today, because of General George Washington.

The Man on the $10 Bill

About the time of the passing of Ronald Reagan, there was a brief groundswell of support for putting the image of our 40th President on the $10 bill. You can read an article about that here.

Now, let me make two points from the outset...

First, though this proposal is still out there, it is no longer being seriously considered. In a way, this is "old news," and it's not likely to come back anytime soon. Still, there are some, including and especially the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, who have not given up. On its web page, the Reagan Legacy Project asks its supporters in Congress to "vote for and support the legislation to put Ronald Reagan on the $10 bill."

Second, I am among those Americans who actually looks back on the Reagan era with fondness. Yes, I admire Ronald Reagan. Apologies to my Democrat friends and readers, but I think Ronald Reagan was a great President, and that he should be honored.

Those disclaimers having been given...

I strongly oppose dumping Alexander Hamilton from the $10 bill. And what's more, I regret that the brief controversy that flashed back around 2004-2005 over the proposal of putting Reagan on the $10 didn't inspire greater public awareness of Hamilton's legacy.

It is arguable that Ulysses S. Grant has outlived his welcome on the $50 bill and it's also reasonable to ask whether the man responsible for one of America's darkest hours - the tragic "Trail of Tears" - should be on the $20. But, there's NO reason to jettison Hamilton from the $10. That this was even seriously suggested is troubling.

Ronald Reagan himself would not be comfortable with the idea of dishonoring a Founding Father, and I therefore think it would be highly inappropriate to do so in his name. Hopefully, those still calling for this change will remain outside the spotlight and this proposal will not rear its head again.

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For more on Alexander Hamilton, I recommend checking out the "Alexander Hamilton Patriot" blog.

You should also read...

Washington on Episcopal Bishop Samuel Seabury

For those of you who think the mixture of politics and religion is somewhat recent in American history, you might find the story of Bishop Samuel Seabury to be of interest.

The established church in several colonies, including Virginia, prior to the American Revolution was the Church of England (aka the Anglican Church). With the American Revolution, the status and structure of the Church of England was thrown into disarray. To simplify history a bit, the Anglican Church in the United States became the Episcopal Church, USA, and one of the central figures in this transition was the Right Reverend Samuel Seabury.

Seabury had been opposed to the American Revolution - a fact that was not lost on General and later President George Washington, who pointedly avoided any communication with Seabury. Imprisoned briefly in 1775, Seabury took refuge in New York for most of the war - even serving as chaplain to a Loyalist regiment.

By 1783, it was clear that Britain would not reclaim her thirteen American colonies. In March of that year, Seabury was elected by ten of his New England Episcopal peers to serve as bishop over the Episcopal church in America.

Seabury sailed for England for his consecration, but the London-based Anglican Church refused, citing Seabury's citizenship in America. Seabury then turned to the Scottish Church, which granted his request. Seabury then returned to America to reestablish the Anglican (now Episcopal) Church in the newly recognized United States of America.

In 1785, a young Episcopal minister approached retired General George Washington for a recommendation. The man was on his way to see Bishop Seabury, and thought General Washington, a well-known and highly regarded Anglican, would serve as a suitable reference. Washington's account of the meeting is as follows:

A Mr. Jno. Lowe, on his way to Bishop Seabury for Ordination, called & dined here. Could not give him more than a general certificate, founded on information, respecting his character; having no acquaintance with him, nor any desire to open a Correspondence with the new ordained Bishop.

In George Washington's Sacred Fire, Peter Lillback provides two reasons for Washington's feelings toward Seabury:

Why would Washington not have wanted to correspond with the newly ordained Bishop Samuel Seabury? In part, it was due to the differences they had over the cause of liberty. As a New England Anglican, Seabury had been a keen Loyalist and stinging critic of the American revolutionary cause. Furthermore, Bishop Seabury was also an adherent to the High Church doctrine of apostolic succession, a view that was deemphasized by the Anglican Low Church.

Lillback reveals another dimension to the politics surrounding Seabury's Anglicanism. High Church Anglicanism was philosophically in agreement with the doctrine of apostolic succession, as embraced by the Roman Catholic Church. The difference, of course, being that the King of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke with apostolic authority for the day -- as opposed to the Vatican in Rome.

The influence of the Protestant Reformation in England, however, had divided the Anglican Communion into two groups over this doctrine. High Church Anglicans favored strict apostolic succession, whereas Low Church Anglicans adhered more toward scriptural authority.

Not surprisingly, High Church Anglicans like Seabury sided with King George III during the American Revolution, whereas Low Church Anglicans like George Washington were more open to the Patriot cause.

Washington's Low Church Anglicanism also made him more open to other denominations, as seen in a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, in which he wrote: "Being no bigot myself to any mode of worship, I am disposed to indulge the professors of Christianity in the church, that road to Heaven, which to them shall seem the most direct plainest easiest and least liable to exception."

Seabury's consecration as the American Episcopal Bishop was seen as an affront to many Low Church Anglicans, like Washington. Lillback explains:

[Seabury] had sought ordination independent of the concerns of Anglicans in the Low Church tradition, and he did so from the hands of Scottish bishops, who were more sympathetic to the Catholic side of the royal family, not the normal bishop of London, who had Protestant sympathies. This ecclesiastical maneuvering left the Low Church patriotic laymen in America feeling uncomfortable with Bishop Seabury and with little incentive or enthusiasm to embrace his leadership.

When one of Seabury's allies, the Reverend John C. Ogden, sent several appeals to Washington for help in a dispute between Seabury's Episcopalians and the New England Congregationalists, Washington declined to respond. One can see why. George Washington had nothing to say to Samuel Seabury and nothing to offer in support for his cause.

Try this Crossword Puzzle

If you like crossword puzzles, try this one from the folks at Archiving Early America. They have some neat online games, movies, and information that you can peruse and enjoy at your leisure.

Battle of Green Spring

Video footage from the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Green Spring...

Would Alexander Hamilton Approve?

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism is a cleverly titled and packaged book defending the free market economic system that Alexander Hamilton fashioned for the United States.

Would Hamilton approve of the points made by Robert Murphy in The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism?

If you haven't read the book, you can watch this lecture....



...and then tell us what you think.

President Washington Takes on Lincoln & FDR

So, do you really think Lincoln and FDR are better Presidents than Washington?

If so, watch this...



Okay, it's admittedly irreverent, but the video caught my attention. Would've been funnier had they invested more money in the costumes.

John Adams Speech to Congress

In the HBO Films miniseries John Adams, the Massachusetts farmer-lawyer turned champion of independence gives an eloquent, heartfelt appeal for separation from Great Britain. It's a speech that some viewers of the HBO miniseries find hard to accept as coming from the 18th century statesman.

You can watch the scene in question here...



We know that John Adams was among the principal movers and shakers at the Second Continental Congress - that he was chief among those leading the charge for independence. And, according to biographer David McCullough, Adams gave "the speech of his life" on July 1, 1776 as Congress took up debate on Virginian Richard Henry Lee's pivotal motion for independence.

Sadly, we do not have an actual transcript of Adams' July 1 speech, so it fell to screenwriter Kirk Ellis and biographer David McCullough to recreate it. And therein lies the rub. To some, the recreated speech delivered by Paul Giamatti (the actor who brilliantly portrays Adams in the miniseries) was not John Adams.

This is perhaps one of those historical debates that has no resolution. For my own part, I'm inclined to give the powers-that-be over the HBO miniseries wide latitude. They did their best in recreating a dramatic moment for television, and it's highly unlikely that Adams would disapprove of the speech given by Giamatti.

In fact, it's quite likely the real John Adams would more than approve of this miniseries, for it places him back in the front rank of the Founders where he truly belongs.

John Adams Meets George Washington

Another clip from the HBO Films' miniseries on David McCullough's bestselling John Adams. This clip shows John Adams meeting Virginia Colonel George Washington.

Documentary on Marbury v. Madison

Excerpt from an older TV documentary on the Marbury v. Madison decision which gave the judiciary the power of reviewing and determining the constitutionality of laws...

Most Insignificant Justice in US History

Watch this humorous excerpt from a speech by Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts talks about a founding era Supreme Court justice who may be "the most insignificant" Supreme Court Justice in American history. It's worth a few minutes of your time. Very humorous.

Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal

An excerpt from "The Presidents" covering Andrew Jackson and his legacy concerning Native Americans...

Why Not More Revolutionary War Films?

HBO Films' current release of the miniseries John Adams raises a question...

Why aren't there MORE miniseries or films set during the period of the American Revolution?

Sure, there have been a few. On the Big Screen, you've got The Patriot starring Mel Gibson and Revolution with Al Pacino.





And that's about it for the Big Screen.

When it comes to the Little Screen, you've got a varied assortment of miniseries and lower-budget television movies over the years, including:





...and the incredibly hard-to-find, but pretty good...



Why not more?????

The answer seems to be that moviegoing audiences tend to be teenagers and young adults, and this demographic just doesn't find early American history that thrilling.

Older audiences prefer to stay home and watch TV, and this explains why David McCullough went to HBO to produce John Adams as opposed to 20th Century Fox or Touchstone Pictures.

For my own part, I think younger audiences WOULD find the Revolutionary War era appealing IF it was presented in a more gripping format than the tedious name-and-date history class model to which they are accustomed.

What do you think?

Oh, and rumor has it that Tom Hanks and HBO Films are planning to produce David McCullough's bestselling 1776 as their next project. I hope that rumor is true - and I can't wait!!!

Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin Discuss Declaration

Here is HBO's recent take on the deliberations between Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson on the early draft of the Declaration of Independence...

Is Western Capitalism Inhumane?

This is an excerpt from a Q&A session with economist Milton Friedman. Friedman takes a question on the success of western capitalism. The questioner alleges that capitalism owes its success to slavery and exploitation. Watch Friedman's response.

How to Interpret the Constitution

Watch and listen to legal expert Edwin Vieira, Jr. argue for the doctrine of original intent in interpreting and understanding the Constitution of the United States...

Schoolhouse Rock: "No More Kings"

On a lighter note, who can forget this classic rendition of the American Revolution from the creative minds of Schoolhouse Rock?

Southern California SAR Salutes Washington

The Sons of the American Revolution salute George Washington in a southern California ceremony, profiled in this news story...

John Adams: A Closer Look

Tonight's the night. John Adams starts this evening, debuting on HBO. If you don't have HBO, you'll have to get a friend to record it for you, buy the DVD when it comes available, or wait for it to broadcast on The History Channel.

Here's a closer look at the series.

The National Anthem by the Cactus Cuties

Has the National Anthem ever sounded THIS good????

"John Adams" Returns to Life THIS WEEKEND

The highly anticipated HBO Films production John Adams debuts this Sunday night. John Adams stars Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, and is based on the Pulitzer winning and bestselling book by the same name, authored by David McCullough.

Please follow this link to read an analysis of early reviews of the film. The analysis is written by Brad Hart, the founder and one of the leading contributors to the excellent "American Revolution" blog.

To visit the HBO film site directly, go here.

Slavery in the Deep South

A sobering and highly informative video excerpt (found on YouTube) covering the deepening of slavery in the Deep South...

Hey Gamers! Have you seen this?

Those of you that enjoy computer and video gaming....



This is a Revolutionary War "mod" of the PC game Half-Life 2. Looks interesting.

Other Blogs of Interest

While I certainly don't want to encourage anyone to neglect or forget THIS blog, I nevertheless want to direct your attention to some other blogs - some wonderful blogs - pertaining to early American history. I hope you'll take time to visit them...

The American Revolution Blog -- one of the best blogs out there on early US history!

Boston 1775 - the title says it all! But this is a very interesting blog. I recommend checking it out!

Blog4History: American & Civil War History - a very popular and highly regarded blog

A. Lincoln Blog -- self-explanatory

These are just a few. For more, go to The History News Network and look up their list of recommended blogs.

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Also, if you want to check out my other blogs, I'd love to have you do so - and provide any feedback...

Brian Tubbs on the Web - my personal blog

How to Vanquish Fear & Insecurity - a motivational blog

The Football Den - self-explanatory (football fans are welcome!)

Movies About History - self-explanatory

And be sure to visit me over at Suite101 and AssociatedContent, where I also write frequently.

Abigail Adams on Early America

Abigail Adams talks about Federalism, Anti-Federalism, and the presidency in early America. Well, okay, it's not REALLY Abigail Adams, but use your imagination -- a little bit. :-)

Reynolds Museum and Center at Mount Vernon

Learn about the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center at Mount Vernon. If you haven't been to George Washington's estate in the last couple of years and seen the Reynolds Center, you're missing out!

Walter Isaacson on Ben Franklin

Historic Sites in Northern Virginia for Student Travel Tours to Washington DC

Often when student travel groups decide upon Washington D.C. as their destination, the tour leaders have specific sites in mind for a visit. Many of the sites that student travel groups request the most are just outside Washington D.C., in Northern Virginia. In order to include these historic sites in a student travel tour, advanced planning is required. Usually, I advise educational travel groups to plan one year ahead for trips to the Washington D.C. area. Depending upon the site visited, special advance procedures to clear student visitors may be required.

An educational travel company needs to be retained to plan and execute an effective itinerary for Washington D.C. If popular historic or governmental sites in Northern Virginia are requested, the itinerary will accommodate these sites on one special day, or combine them effectively with other destinations on the student tour.

Here is an overview of some of the popular Northern Virginia sites for educational travel groups:

Pentagon Tour
The Pentagon is located just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. in Arlington, Virginia. Many student travel groups are eager to see the headquarters for high-ranking officers of the U.S. Military and their aides. Because the Pentagon was attacked on September 11th, and it houses critical military personnel, it is a sensitive site. Despite the challenges to security, the U.S. government still provides student travel tours led by a uniformed and trained member of the U.S. Military. This tour has been provided to the public since 1976, when it was first initiated in celebration of our nation’s 200th anniversary. With proper advance notification, an educational travel group may schedule a one-hour tour of the Pentagon that includes about one and one half miles of walking through Pentagon corridors and grounds and a view of the highlights.

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is another historic site that fascinates and intrigues educational tour groups. Arlington National Cemetery was dedicated as a military cemetery on June 15th 1854. Veterans from all of the wars, both foreign and domestic, are buried here and the gravesites number around 300,000. The National Park Service administers Arlington House and its immediate grounds. The U.S. Army oversees Arlington National Cemetery and Soldier’s Home National Cemetery. Educational travel groups touring Arlington National Cemetery may have the opportunity to attend a Wreath Laying Ceremony or take a Tram tour, with advance planning.

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Mount Vernon, the historic estate of George Washington lies just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. a mere 16 miles distance from the nation’s capital. Mount Vernon is exquisitely preserved. Educational travel groups will be greeted at a brand new building, the Ford Orientation Center, and will tour The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center which houses 25 new theaters and galleries that narrate the entire story of George Washington's life. The Reynolds museum displays 500 original artifacts, and offers 11 videos and Immersion Theater as a way of learning about our founding father.

Student travel groups can experience living history by observing a working 18th Century farm and gristmill, as well as other educational programs. Student travel groups may tour the mansion, gardens, working farm, and more.

Educational travel to Washington D.C. is greatly enhanced by trips to Northern Virginia historical points of interest. Places like the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Mount Vernon should not be ignored on a student travel tour of the Washington D.C. area. For more information on specific points of interest in the Washington D.C. area for student travel groups, visit educationaltravelconsultants.com

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Howard Clemens founded Educational Travel Consultants in 1984. Over the last 24 years, Mr. Clemens has organized student travel tours for thousands of high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. His company also specializes in performance tours to Washington D.C., New York City, and Orlando, Florida. Email him at info@educationaltravelconsultants.com or visit http://www.educationaltravelconsultants.com

George Washington, Father of the CIA?

George Washington as America's first spymaster...

Richard Norton Smith on the Adamses

This is the first part of a lecture on the Adams family, given by historian Richard Norton Smith. This first part deals mainly with the first President Adams. An interesting lecture.

John Adams $1 Coin Launched

Interesting video from when the John Adams $1 coin was launched.

Lewis & Clark Expedition -- DVD Preview

Here's a short excerpt from a DVD on the Lewis & Clark expedition. The DVD is produced by Learning Media of America and this excerpt (as well as others) can be found over at YouTube....

Scalia v. the ACLU

Should U.S. judges consult international law and international court rulings when rendering opinions or judgments on U.S. constitutional or legal matters?

Is the Constitution open-ended, giving each generation the freedom to reinterpret its meaning? Or is it fixed?

Great issues. A solid debate....

Eric Foner on Liberty and Security

Benjamin Franklin once remarked famously: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

It's a delicate balance. How much liberty should we give up in order to maintain a degree of public security? At what point do we cross Ben Franklin's line in the sand - and "deserve neither"?

Artist & Historian George Stuart on King George III

Causes of the War of 1812

There are some who believe that the United States was in the wrong to declare war on Great Britain in 1812 - and then proceed to invade Canada. This video I did for YouTube tries to set the record straight, with respect to the American perspective.



For more on this topic, I'd invite you to follow this link to an article I did over at the American history section of Suite101.com.

Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times

Was America Founded on Christian Principles?

This is the first part of a 90-minute lecture by Rick Green on the nature of America's founding. If you want to watch the entire lecture, you can do so on YouTube. This is a controversial topic, and this lecture represents one side of that debate.



Even if you disagree with Mr. Green, you gotta love the Woodrow Wilson quote at the beginning of his talk.

Art Imitating Life: Battle of Brandywine

Interesting short film I saw over at YouTube...

Religious Attendance Good for Society?

According to a domestic policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation, a Washington, DC-based think-tank, those who attend religious services are more likely to positively contribute to society than those who don't.



Is this perhaps one of the things that George Washington had in mind, when he said: "Religion and morality are indispensable supports to political prosperity"?

PBS: The Supreme Court

An excerpt from the PBS special on the Supreme Court. This excerpt talks about President Thomas Jefferson and Chief Justice John Marshall.



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Political Dynasties: An American Tradition?

If Hillary Clinton is inaugurated as our next President of the United States on January 20, 2009, she will establish the Clinton name along with the Bush name as a new political dynasty in American politics. The last four names on presidential lists will read Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton. Is that a problem?

According to an article in The Seattle Times, political dynasties are a part of America's history - going back to the founding era. George Washington did not have any heirs, but his successor, John Adams, did. And the Adams dynasty became an early fixture in American politics - a dynasty that reached into the American Civil War, with Charles Francis Adams playing a key role in keeping Britain neutral during the War Between the States.

But the Adams family (and that's the Adams - one 'd' - family, not those other Addamses) isn't the only dynasty from early U.S. history.

Follow this link to read the article.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is definitely at the outer boundary of what might be considered the "founding era," but he nevertheless is worthy of mention on this day - his birthday.

For your reading pleasure, you may follow this link to read Mr. Lincoln's famous "Cooper Union Address," in which he speaks at length of the Founding Fathers and their views on slavery (especially with respect to the territories). It's a brilliant speech.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Lincoln!

Eric Foner: Freedom & American Identity

This is a thought-provoking excerpt from a lecture given by historian Eric Foner on the meaning and application of the concept "Freedom" in American history. While I do not always agree with Mr. Foner (our interpretive perspectives on history are different), I nevertheless recommend this excerpt. It is thought-provoking.

Defending David McCullough

In recent years, historian David McCullough has come under various attack. The outcome has been that, while McCullough remains a bestselling author and popular storyteller, he is not highly regarded in some scholarship circles.

A sampling of anti-McCullough criticisms include:

"Historians Under Fire" -- a 2002 news analysis from CBS News

"The David McCullough Nobody Knows" by Philip Nobile

These are just a couple of examples. There are many others that don't necessarily directly mention McCullough, but their critiques definitely pertain to him.

While it's true that David McCullough is human (as if this should even need to be said) and that he has mistakes (again, should this point even need to be made?), it is wrong to dismiss or demean David McCullough.

David McCullough has been indispensable in encouraging a mainstream love and appreciation of American history. Few historians have been able to connect with average Americans in a way that McCullough has. And it's perhaps this achievement (specifically the way he's achieved it) which has rankled many of his colleagues.

You see, David McCullough loves America! It's clear in reading McCullough's history books that the man loves this country and that he has a genuine appreciation for and respect for the principal players in the drama each of his books are telling. To many historians (and, for that matter, everyday cynics), this is just not acceptable.

For many, the measure of a fair-minded, balanced historian is one who finds as much fault with the United States of America as possible. And, of course, any historian who dares to admire the Founding Fathers - those "racist, sexist pigs" (some say) - is unworthy of any respect or esteem.

Well, listen up, people! For all their faults and flaws, the Founding Fathers are WORTH admiring. That's right! They are worth celebrating. It is to McCullough's credit that he paints them in a positive light. For I would contend that a POSITIVE light is an ACCURATE light. In fact, that's McCullough's contention - and he does a pretty good job making it.

As for America, why can't we love our country? It angers me that cynicism has made such deep inroads in America's psyche. It's like we don't deserve to love our country, but should hide in shame and guilt over all the past sins (many of which have been horribly exaggerated) of our nation. I'm frankly tired of the America-bashing and those who have bought into it by wallowing in national self-pity. It all makes me want to grab an American flag and wave it even more proudly!

So, I'm thankful for a historian who isn't afraid to love his country and tell great (and true) stories to encourage others to ALSO fall in love with their country.

Bravo, David McCullough! Keep up the good work. There are at least some of us in America who appreciate what you are doing.

Revolutionary Era Shooting & Dancing

George Washington did WHAT????

I try not to get "political" and I don't want this site to be a Bush-bashing (or, in this case, Gonzalez-bashing) affair, but...



I was surprised to learn that George Washington engaged in electronic surveillance. Learn something every day.

Washington's Plan at Trenton

I'm not sure what movie or documentary this is taken from, but I found it on the Internet. And I thought I'd share it with you. Follow this link to watch this rather interesting video.

Short Films from Early America

Follow this link for a selection of short films, courtesy of the folks at Archiving Early America.

The movies include biographies of Ben Franklin and George Washington as well as documentaries on Benedict Arnold's treason and the "Shot Heard Round the World." Check them out. They are worth your time.

Canadian Documentary: Plains of Abraham

Reenactment: Battle of Germantown

Say NO to Presidents' Day

February is upon us - and that means "Presidents' Day" is coming. Let me make something abundantly clear for everyone. I hate and despise "Presidents' Day." That's right. I hate it. Why, you ask?

Well, don't get me wrong. I love holidays. And I don't hate the American presidency. In fact, having a day each year in which we encourage people to learn more about our Presidents is a good thing.

***To test your knowledge on U.S. Presidents, try this quiz.

What I hate about "Presidents' Day" is the way in which this worthless holiday has evolved - and, most importantly, I hate how the original purpose of the day has been diminished and forgotten.

Officially, there is no "Presidents' Day." The holiday does not exist -- officially. According to US federal law, the day we commonly refer to as "Presidents' Day" is "George Washington's Birthday Observed."

You see, the U.S. Congress voted to make George Washington's birthday a federal holiday. With the Monday Holidays Act, we no longer celebrate on Washington's birthday itself, but rather on what is usually the nearest Monday to it.

Well, over time, people stopped calling the holiday "George Washington Day" or "George Washington's Birthday" - and instead began calling it "Presidents' Day." There are several reasons for this - not the least of which is that some believe we should honor Abraham Lincoln as well.

While I agree that Lincoln deserves a holiday, let's not give him one at the expense of the father of our country. Either create a separate holiday for Lincoln, or leave the February holiday for George Washington. Don't diminish Washington in order to honor Lincoln. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Besides, we don't call the holiday "Washington-Lincoln Day," so Lincoln isn't being honored anyway.

There is only one solution to this problem. Remove George Washington's birthday from the Monday Holidays Act. Congress already did this with Veteran's Day. Let's do it with George Washington's birthday as well.

If Washington's birthday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, THEN you can observe the holiday on a Monday. Otherwise, observe the holiday on the actual day of his birth (according to the modern calendar, of course).

If you want to keep a "Presidents' Day" (because it sounds nice), then Congress can designate January 20 (Inauguration Day) as "Presidents' Day" - and make it a day to honor ALL our nation's Presidents.

But let's restore Washington's birthday now. By putting the February holiday actually on Washington's birthday, it will force people to recognize that it's a day to honor George Washington specifically. The father of our country deserves that.

***Interested in visiting Mount Vernon, check out this article.

Revolutionary War Cannon

revolutionary war canon fired from kezzart on Vimeo.

American History in Black and White

Great first part to David Barton's series on African American contributions to American history. This first part has some great stuff on early US history...

Causes of the War of 1812

The War of 1812 is one of the most controversial wars in United States history - at least for those who pay attention to history. From the Canadian perspective, the War of 1812 represented Yankee greed and expansionism. Come to think of it - that's pretty much what most critics of the United States believe, including - of course - historians like Howard Zinn. In this view, the United States got greedy (a common theme of anti-American criticism) and tried to take Canada. The Americans were (according to this refrain) turned back and the War of 1812 ended in a stalemate (generously agreed to by Britain, notwithstanding that embarrassing, post-war loss at New Orleans).

Well...there's a little more to the War of 1812 than that. While westward expansionism played a significant part in American motives, the United States was NOT the aggressor nation.

For more on the causes of the War of 1812, check out this article over at Suite101.

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Farewell Heath Ledger

Last night, as I was surfing the Internet, I was stunned to read of Heath Ledger's untimely passing. A young life cut short. Truly a tragedy.

In memory of Heath Ledger and in keeping with the spirit of this site, I thought I'd post the following picture from Columbia Pictures. Who can forget Heath Ledger from the 2000 film The Patriot? Ledger did a great job portraying Benjamin Martin's (Mel Gibson) restless, pro-revolutionary son, Gabriel.

Farewell Heath Ledger!

p.s. For those inclined, follow this link for an interesting op-ed on Heath Ledger's sudden passing (and its potential message to our culture).

John Adams Coming to HBO in March 2008

A look at the upcoming HBO miniseries, starring Paul Giamatti and based on bestselling author David McCullough's John Adams.

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PBS Documentary: The War That Made America

This is a clip from the PBS series The War That Made America, a solid documentary on the French and Indian War.

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Weapons of the American Revolution: The Brown Bess

The above video features a British reenactor firing a Brown Bess musket three times under a minute.

For more on this important weapon of the American Revolution, follow this link.

This is the first in an occasional series of posts featuring links to articles or videos on various weapons of the American Revolution.

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Lewis & Clark - Part One

You can find Part Two at this link.

Crime & Punishment in Colonial America

Chess -- Revolutionary War Style

If you like the American Revolution period AND you enjoy a good game of chess, then this might interest you...

Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment on Hannity & Colmes

Sean Hannity and Alan Combs tackle the issue of gun control in response to some of Rosie O'Donnell's anti-gun comments (also shown on this video).

What do you think? To what extent should Americans have the right to "keep and bear arms"?

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For a critically acclaimed look at the Founders and the Second Amendment...

A Look at Monticello

George Washington, the Cherry Tree, and Kermit the Frog

The story of George Washington and the cherry tree -- from the perspective of Kermit the Frog and the historians at Sesame Street.

Now, you know how it all really happened.

War of 1812 Reenactment Footage

I enjoy surfing YouTube and other video sites, looking for reenactment and other living history footage. I will occasionally post some of them on this site.

David McCullough Promotes His Book 1776

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American History Museum Still in Renovation

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is undergoing intense, architectural renovations and will reopen its doors to the public by summer 2008.

As many of you probably know, the American History Museum closed its doors in September 2006. I was fortunate enough to get a visit in that year, before it closed for the major renovation.

According to the Smithsonian website, the "transformation focuses on...architectural enhancements to the Museum’s interior, constructing a state-of-the-art gallery for the Star-Spangled Banner, and updating the 42-year-old building’s infrastructure."

The bad news (in MY opinion at least)....the pendulum won't be coming back.

From 1964 to 1998, a version of Foucault’s pendulum was displayed in the museum atrium. As a kid, I remember being awestruck at how it swung from one side to the other - its swing affected by the rotation of the earth. But, there's no room for the pendulum in the new design. Tis a shame.

SAR to Honor Black Revolutionary War Veterans

The National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will dedicate a monument on January 27 to "Patriots of Color" from Charles City County, Virginia.

Says Bruce Wilcox, president of SAR: "It is not generally appreciated in scholarly circles, let alone by the general public, that perhaps 20,000 Black Americans served during the Revolution, and helped our Nation achieve its Independence and Liberty. The SAR takes seriously its role to preserve the memory of all Revolutionary War Patriots, and we are glad to honor these Patriots of Color from Charles City County."

For more on this story, follow this link.

Roger Wilkins on the Founders and Slavery

Roger Wilkins, a professor at George Mason University, wrote an excellent book (several years ago) on the relationship of America's principal Founding Fathers with slavery. I read his book, Jefferson's Pillow, several years ago - and was deeply impressed with it.

Wilkins, a Pulitzer-winning author and past civil rights (and anti-apartheid) activist, is qualified to address this sensitive subject, and does so in much more mature and reasoned tone than the likes of Howard Zinn.

Wilkins doesn't let the Founders off the hook, but (with the exception of Jefferson) doesn't slam them either. (He does have some strong things to say against Jefferson, while also acknowledging the Virginian's contributions).

Publisher's Weekly sums up Wilkins' approach as follows:

Where others routinely excuse past figures or judge them by present standards, Wilkins exemplifies a subtler, sounder approach. Reaching back to England and Virginia in the 1600s, he briskly illuminates the historical, ideological and socioeconomic contexts that made a burning concern for freedom not just compatible with slavery, but materially and psychologically dependent on it.

Jefferson's Pillow is a great book - definitely worth your checking out.

New Jersey Crossroads Recognized

The Star-Ledger is reporting that the US government has awarded $150,000 in aid to the American Revolution National Heritage Area, a crossroads tying together several key Revolutionary War sites that "highlight the pivotal role New Jersey played in the Revolution."

For the rest of the story, click here.

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And for more information on the New Jersey campaign of 1776-77, check out David McCullough's bestselling 1776.