In the center of your screen will be among those speaking. The 32,000 square foot house is revolutionary wars weapons, personal art and theaters and historical recreations. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] ladies and gentlemen, please recognize the color guards from each of the original 13 states as their introduced in the order in which each state ratified the u. S. Constitution and entered the union. Delaware, first delaware regiment. [applause] pennsylvania, first troop Philadelphia City calvary. [applause] new jersey, old barracks museum. Georgia, sons of the revolution in the state of georgia. Connecticut, the governors foot and horse guard. Massachusetts, 54th massachusetts volunteer regiment. Maryland, maryland society, sons of the American Revolution. [applause] south carolina. South Carolina National guard. [applause] New Hampshire, first New Hampshire regiments. [applause] virginia, the Virginia Military institute regimental color guard. [applause] new york, ninth new york Field Artillery veteran core of artillery of the state of new york. [applause] North Carolina, the over mountain men. [applause] rhode island, united train of artillery. [applause] and presenting the flag of United States, the color guard of the third u. S. Infantry regiment, known as the old guard. [applause] [applause] members of our audience, will you please rise for the National Anthem, performed by Curtis Institute of music student. Oh, say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars thro the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [applause] please be seated as the colors are retired. Please welcome the president and ceo of the museum of the American Revolution, Michael Quinn. [applause] thank you so much. Our deepest thanks to the color guards of the original 13 states and to the color guard of the third u. S. Infantry regiment, the old guard, as well as to the Curtis Institute of music. What a wonderful start to a very momentous opening. [applause] this is the third part of our opening celebration. Our Program Began this morning at the tomb of the unknown soldier of the American Revolution in washington square, where we honor those who sacrificed their lives to create our nation. Our Program Continues front of Independence Hall where we celebrated the future of that nation and the youth who are the legacy of the great ideals founded at that time. And now w were at the museum of the American Revolution. We are celebrating not just the opening of the museum, but the people and the ideas of the revolution, and the great landmarks and the history of philadelphia. And we are grateful to the many faith leaders, the students, and the others who have made this day possible. The museum we opened today tells the story of the creation of the american nation, how people from all walks of life found a bond in the ideals of equality, freedom and selfgovernance, who concentrated that the consecrated that bond by their courage and sacrifice to eight years of warfare. That bond is what turns them into the unified people of one nation, and has done so for every generation since. This Museum Celebrates and belongs to the American People. There are many distinguished speakers with us on this joyful day, and we will introduce them as they speak. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and their support. And we are pleased to welcome many Additional Special guests, the governor of the commonwealth of virginia, terry mcauliffe. The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, dan forrest. The Lieutenant Governor of rhode island, dan mckee. The former governor of delaware michael castle, the former governor of new jersey, james florio, the former governor of maryland martin omalley, and the former governor of pennsylvania, and a great city of philadelphia, edwin rendell. Thank you for speaking at Independence Hall. [applause] im also pleased to recognize congressman kyle where the for joining us and members of the city council of philadelphia, mark, leslie, and sherell parker. Thank you. [applause] we are joined by our great partner, the superintendent of Independence National historical park cynthia macleod. [applause] it is such a privilege when the architect of this great landmark new building, robert stern and his Associates Join us. Bob, we are you gain. [applause] and were also joined by the founder of intech construction who built this museum on time and on budget, will shorts, a new member of the museum, the board of the museum of the American Revolution. [applause] we have guests in many places and we are so honored that leaders of museums and cultural institutions come across philadelphia are with us today. You are too numerous to support, serratia hand so that everyone knows you are here. Thank you. [applause] for turning out and joining us and welcoming us as we proudly join your ranks as one of the great cultural institutions of this city. We also joined i people for many other institutions, but probably no one has come further or is more special to us than ellen and her family from china and japan, the donors [applause] of donated the two wonderful bronze sculptural panels on the Chestnut Street side of the museum depicting Washington Crossing the delaware, and the declaration of independence. 90 so much. [applause] there are leaders from many distinguished institution from across the nation today, and im delighted to recognize some of them. Steve, ceo of Family Search International from salt lake city, utah. Louise mirror, president and ceo of the New York Historical society. Jack duane warren, executive director of the society of cincinnati. John gray, director of the Smithsonian National museum of American History, and turner dylan president general of the National Society daughters of the American Revolution. James mann, executive director of the pennsylvania historical and museum commission. Stephanie, director of the smithsonian American History, american art museum. Rob schenck, Vice President of George Washingtons mount vernon. Susan stein, Vice President of Thomas Jefferson monticello. Ruth taylor, executive director of the New Historical society. Catherine robinson, president and ceo of historical charleston foundation. David roselle comes executive director of the museum, garden and library. Beth hill, president and ceo of fort ticonderoga in new york. And Bonnie Joe Griffith of the delaware tribe of indians. [applause] and now id like to introdue the members of the board of directors of the museum of the American Revolution. Will you raise your hand so everyone knows where you are and that you are here today. [applause] use of the volunteers who have guided and sustained the Multiyear Initiative to create the museum. And now it is a very great pleasure to welcome the mayor of the great city of philadelphia, mayor jim kinney. [applause] good morning everyone. I cant tell you how proud i am as a native lifelong philadelphia and to be stand here in front of this building and in front of all the great dignitaries that of kinder today. I personally am very much honored. Its fantastic to see so many out there helping us open this exciting new addition to our cities already thriving historic district. Those looking to learn more about the founding of the country have already made visiting philadelphia priority. The museum of the American Revolution will bring these people back while also giving those who have midget the trip more incentive to do so. Philadelphia is named the World Heritage city because it serves as a backdrop for the formation of our country. This museum will provide greater insight into the sacrifices that were made in order to make the ideas that were first discussed at Independence Hall a reality. This museum will provide us with a much deeper appreciation of what it means to live free. I think the most important part of this museum for me, as ive gone through it, is it acknowledges foley and totally the contributions of other folks who made this country great. Africanamericans, native americans, women, and all others besides those who signed the declaration of independence. Without all of them this never would have happened and they are finally fully acknowledged in this space. I think thats wonderful. And you are a great philadelphia Great American and am honored to know you. Thank you very much and im glad to see you here today. Thank you very much, everyone. [applause] thank you. Please welcome the governor of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, tom wolf. [applause] thank you very much, mayor kenney. Thank you for your comments. And its great to be here, and i want to welcome all of you who are from out of town to pennsylvania. I just want to point out that the weather is always like this in pennsylvania. [laughing] again, i want to thank all of our distinguished guests for being here today, i would especially like to welcome Vice President joe biden. Vice president. [cheers and applause] we are truly honored to have you here today since you begin your career you have stood up to the middle class, for the middle class, for families and for the less fortunate of wood. Your time innocent and in the white house has made this country better, and i just want to welcome you back home to pennsylvania. [applause] i am proud to be here to help commemorate the opening of the new museum, this museum of the American Revolution, that will act as a monument to the lives of those who created this great nation. There is no better home for this museum that in philadelphia. Then in pennsylvania. Am i right . [applause] this museum tells a story of the women and the men who created this nation writer in philadelphia where this nation began. Located with only come within only a few blocks of the museum are a number of historic treasures that tell the story of how a loose band of colonials topple a mighty empire, created a nation that is led the world for over two centuries. From Independence Hall to the site of the liberty bell to the president s house, to congress hall, to the tomb of the unknown revolutionary war soldiers, all around us are reminders of the struggle that our founders undertook to create a nation dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Now we have a museum solely dedicated to the first time to the lies and the sacrifice of those early americans who for far too long have gone nameless and an commemorated. Those who fought and struggled ultimately won our independence and deserve our respect. Only a couple of blocks away in place of the tomb of the unknown soldier of the revolutionary war are the words quote, freedom is life for which many men and women have died in darkness. This museum will aim to turn the light on and to tell the story of those real women and men from pennsylvania and from all over the world who have made this country what it is, and who shocked the world 240 years ago, by doing the impossible by defeating the mighty empire. I cant think of a more fitting tribute to their memories, and im glad that pennsylvania will play home to this new treasure. I want to thank all of those who came together to make this project a success, and to want to thank Michael Quint whos been up here. Can we just get a round of applause to Michael Quinn backs. [applause] michael will lead this museum with Great Success writer in philadelphia. So again thank you all for being here. Thank you for helping us celebrate this great moment in American History. Thank you. [applause] please welcome noted author and twotime recipient of the pulitzer prize, David Mccullough. [applause] what a morning. What a morning to be grateful we are americans. [applause] what a morning to celebrate our past, and what that teaches us about how we should move forward into the days that. The American Revolution still goes on. The American Revolution was one of the most important events of all time. And very much of it happens right here in this great storied city. Its not easy to understand the past, because for one thing, no one ever lived in the past. They live in the present that was there present, not ours, and we have to not only understand who they were, what they set out to achieve, how successful they may have been, but we have to understand the time in which they lived. We have to not only understand what they wrote, but what they read it because if we dont understand what they read, we wont understand why they said or wrote what they did. They were real people. History is human. When in the course of human events, human is the operative word. We can learn more from history that any other subject, because it is about the human experience. And we can learn more about our country, our people, our past, our heart and soul as a civilization, by knowing more about the American Revolution. We can never ever know enough about the American Revolution. In the opening of this magnificent museum is not just a moment to celebrate here in philadelphia, but all over our country. This is a moment of National Importance and cause to celebrate. [applause] one of the easiest, most obvious lessons of history is almost nothing of consequence. Has ever been accomplished alone. Alone. Its a joint effort. Our country is a joint effort. This cd is a joint effort, and this marvelous new museum is a joint effort. And i think we should pay tribute to all of those who worked for 16 years to make this happen, and congratulations and god bless you. [applause] and no one deserves more credit than jerry. [applause] i think today we should all go away from this ceremony standing taller. Because of who we are and what we believe in, what we stand for, the values we still hold dear to us, and this museum will do more to teach oncoming generations about the importance of the revolution, not just in a military sense, and a sense of ideas and the human spirit that anything weve ever had, high time we had such a museum as of this. [applause] history isnt just about politics and war. History is about art and music, and architecture. Architecture. And history is about poetry and about memory through the arts. We have a broadway show right now, hamilton. We have the work of john trumbull. We have the architecture of that marvelous. , and is now, bob stearns work right here. Thithis is a major work of architecture. [applause] this is april 19, 2017, heres a poem from april 19, 1837. 180 years ago written by ralph waldo emerson. By the real bridge that arcs the flood, april breeze unfurls, here once the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard round the world. The flow long since in silence swept, a light the conquerors silent sleeps. And time and ruined bridge has swept down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this at green bay by the soft stream we set today a stone that memory made their he redeem when like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit that made those heroes dare to die and leave their Children Free big time and nature gently spare the shaft we raise to the spirit. Spirit and perseverance. George washington once said to me, its one of the most powerful messages ever to all of us, perseverance and spirit. Perseverance in spirit have done wonders in all ages. [applause] please welcome United Nations representative and ceo of Indian Nation enterprises. [applause] [speaking in native tongue] thank you for that kind introduction. Its truly an honor to follow what of americas greatest historians. I bring you greetings of peace from united Indian Nations, and our people began gatherings and have since since time immemorial with a thanksgiving address. With these thoughts that we all come together in peace as one and we give thanks to what we have in our minds become as one. Native members have traveled here to be part of that special day notice prayer will pick we are so fortunate we could be a disorder in the grand opening of such an important museum. One that recognizes the significant role in the establishment of the United States of america. Today is the date of the gratitude, we are proud of our ancestors will be memorialized in the museum of the American Revolution. We are thankful that such Great American leaders like mayor kenney, governor wolf, governor rendell and former Vice President joe biden on are here with us today. Gerry lenfest, your determination and contributions kept the vision of the Museum Revolution in motion, and for that we are ever thankful. At a time when we experience so much political acrimony it is gratified to see leaders and a saints of all walks of life come together to honor our nations founding. Just as the things thi this a day that gives my people great peace of mind because it is culmination of years of work to preserve, honor and enshrine our historic role in the founding of this country. Never forget we often hear about history, the phrase imposes to preserve her heritage and reminds us without effort our past can be erased from our memory. If you know this better than native americans and were proud to be taking steps to make sure our role in this nation founding is remembered. And at the stories of our history are told and retold for generations to come. With todays opening of the National Museum of the American Revolution we are rescuing the history of this countries birth and native americans role in it from the dark abyss of the memory chasm. As a proud support of this wonderful new facility, the Oneida Nation is still to be a part of this because we believe that it is a critical process of both preserving the history of the United States and honoring Indigenous Peoples formidable role in building this great country of ours. Today, Many Americans have no knowledge of native americans role in the revolution but now they have a chance to hear the rich and compelling story of how our people reached across cultural lines and worked together with the founders in a unified fight for freedom. Our blood was mingled with the commoners blood, our bones were mixed with the blood of the patriots. To be sure, it is troubling and troubling this institute has been admitted from americas founding stories but those omissionsothe significance of this new facility and the moral imperative of the museums mission. Museum make sure you are not succumbing to reductionism and not oversimplifying the beginnings of america. Guarantees the details are preserved and all the stories of sacrifice are passed on to future generations as our grandmothers and grandfathers have admonished us to do so. Preserving me the founding story of america is not an exercise in selfcongratulation. It makes sure that in an increasingly diverse nation accurately reflects the diversity of its foundational story. This is particularly important for people of color who to often are victims of historical revisionism, distortion and omission. Native American Heritage has too often been fictionalized or altogether omitted in ways that are inaccurate and deeply in constructive. In a diverse country is more critical than ever for future generations learned to appreciate the multicultural history. Making sure that multicultural story is not erratic or dangerous idea. More than two centuries after my ancestors fought sidebyside with general George Washington, our ancestors deserved their place in our collective memory about this country while their bodies died for our future, we now must ensure that their memories were not interrupting this museum we are protecting the longevity of the core ideals for a generation, two centuries after the war those notions of liberty, equality and the running revolutionary as ever and an inspiration to the world. My ancestors joined with the colonists standing in solidarity for these immutable ideals just as our cult stands in front of those ideals today. And solidarity is summoned by the motto e pluribus unum, of many, one. A native american thanksgiving, to bring our minds together as one. In the spirit of prayer, let us give thanks for using its work in protecting the ideals of america and its founding story. You are doing our part to make sure the spirit of the American Revolution endures and that diverse groups of americas story are now told. [applause] please welcome colonel john bircher, a recipient of the purple heart for combat service in vietnam and representing the military order of the purple heart. [applause] thank you, its such a great honor to be able to be here today. I want to welcome jumper and mike quinn and especially Vice President joe biden. What an honor it was to meet you. Vice president , we miss you. [applause] tonight can i see a show of hands how many of you in the audience are veterans . [applause] wow. Im here today on the half of a special group of veterans, the 1. 7 million men and women who have either given their lives or have been wounded in combat. Serving to protect the freedoms weve all come to take so much for granted. I can tell you that the price of freedom is not free. Its paid for in the blood of the workers of our mothers fathers, sisters and especially their spouses. General George Washington at the end of the revolutionary war wanted to do something to recognize the fidelity and bravery of the common soldier. Martin officer but rather the ncos who serve the continental army. So he created on the steps of august and 82 the very first separation in the colonial army. Called mcnamara, it was a simple piece. Inscribed with the word merrick on it. At first we thought there are only about four people who had received it, but our research and archives have shown we know of at least 27 men who received the badge of merit. The badge of the revolutionary war went disused and in 1932, then chief of staff and army General Macarthur wanted to do something to recognize the 200th birthday of George Washington. So he brought the badge of merit out of retirement and created as the metal that i wear today. Its the same purple heart and on the back has the word for military merit. It has the likeness of George Washington to recognize all that he did. For the founding country. As i mentioned, there have been 1. 7 million recipients of the purple heart. Every single veteran, is served in such a price. Some day ill but all gave some. So its an honor for me to be able to be here on behalf of those purple heart recipients who have served and sacrificed their lives, protecting the freedoms we all enjoy today, thank you so much. [applause]. Please welcome the students of philadelphias high school for the creative and performing arts and the original cast member of the Broadway Musical hamilton, sydney james artworks. [applause]. How are you today. [applause] i cant tell you what a great day it is to celebrate the first of our country, every day is a great day to celebrateAmerican History. But its a live here. Its everywhere. And it is my honor to be here for the opening of this gym in your city and in our country, the musical of the American Revolution. Its fantastic. And a long time coming. [applause] this next song is particularly relevant because of an existing inside this museum. As an actor, especially in a period play, were always imagining your surroundings and whats it like, what did it sound like, where there was light, so many Little Things and i can tell you, i spent hours i spend imagining washington. Its inside this building. Seeing it in person, it was so moving. It gave this next song new meeting for me. It takes place on the eve of the battle of yorktown. Roughly 1781. And David Mccullough can correct me if i get anything wrong. And Sarah Washington was giving his first command. And some sage advice, washington had the forethought to know the actions they were taking were going to reverberate through history for hundreds of thousands of years. He warned us of demigods and gave sage advice to hamilton about how he should use his power. And i have to say that there remains to me no greater moment then getting to perform this song in front of our Vice President. Who embodied the ideals that George Washington spoke about. And i want to thank you for your service. Thank you sir. Is next song is called history. I was younger than you are now. And i was given my first command. I led my country straight into a massacre. I let them firsthand. I gave everything, my shame lies in this. And now i lie awake knowing history has gone. [singing]. [singing] let me tell you what i wish i know when i was young and he dreamed of glory and no control, to live, to die for glory. I know that grayhaired line with you but remember from here on in, history has its life. History has its eye on you. [applause] history to have his eyes on us everywhere we look. Its like a theme park for history everywhere you look it is, everywhere you look. And in particular, Alexander Hamilton walked the streets, building for the Treasury Office right there. Thats the first trait of america. And our next song, he is here from the first bank of america. But our next song details how that bank got its charter. Hamilton was accepted as treasury secretary and was getting his desk plans back and getting all the damage the incurred from the war and republicans were dead set that he would not and he had to turn to a political, something he didnt enjoy but to make some trade, never before i think has a song made passing debt plan sexy and danceable. So its got that going for it. Also happens to be the platform and the impetus for ehrenberg to jump into political life. He was playing back up at that time and when he saw the kind of power that hamilton could wield, you want it in. Helping me, we have playing the role of hamilton grace and taylor. We have Thomas Jefferson as robbie and we have James Madison as desi. This song is called from where it happens. Mister secretary. Mister burr. Did you hear the news about the good old general. They named it after him, the legacy is secured. All he had to do is die. Thats a lot less work. We ought to give it a try. Are you going to get your debt plan through . I guess were going to have something to do. What ever it takes to take my plan off the floor. Thats merciless. I hate to send up the center, im sorry berg, ive got to go. Lets catch this over dinner. Immigrants walk into a room, diametrically opposed. They reimburse with a compromise, laughing over doors. The immigrants and merchants with unprecedented financial power. He can shape however you want, the virginians emerge with the nations impetus to reduce guns. [singing] no one else is in the room where it happens. No one really knows how the game is played. How the public gets paid. We just assume that it happens but no one elses in the room where it happens. Alexander watson started one day in disarray. Thomas payne. He had nowhere else to turn. Easily during the freight. He said i know youre here and hear what he has to say. And i arranged a meeting, i arranged a menu in the seating. No one elses in the room where it happens. The room where it happens. No one else is in the room where it happens, the room where it happens. No one really knows how the bodies get together, but everything is just, we had just assume that it happens but no one else is in theroom where it happens. Meanwhile Madison Jefferson suspect that not every issue can be settled by committee. Thomas never knows where to put thecapital. Jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite and madison responds with keen insights, maybe we can solve one problem with another and a victory for the southerners, in other words, quid pro quo. Would you like the words a little closer to home. Id like to cross the potomac. Will see how it goes. Lets go. No one else is in the room where it happens. No one else is in the room where it happens, the room where it happens, the room where it happens. Weve got the thrust but we never really know how it got the guts, we just assume that it happens and no one else is in the room where it happens. What did they say to get you to tell me to sell me down the river. It was the president ial inversion. Alexander hamilton. Did you know it doesnt really matter what where you put the view. It happens in the same spot. And i wonder what youve got, but you dont really get, you get nothing if you go for waste. Give me one of those and leverett with me. Whatever you want sir. Whatever you want. No one elses in the room where it happens. I want to be in the room where it happens. I want to be in the room where it happens. I, i want to be in the room where it happens. Oh, i want to be, ive got to be, ive got to be in the room, in that big old room. Dont you know close your eyes. We want to be here to save the day, we want to fade away. We dream in the dark for the whole time. No one elses in the room where it happens, ive got to be in the room where it happens. Ive got to be. Ive got to be, i know ive got to be in the room where it happens. Ive got to be in the room where it happens. Thank you so much. Dies, one time, lets hear it for the students of kappa in philly. Thank you so much. My pleasure. Ladies and gentlemen, Sidney James Harcourt and the students of the high school for the creative and performing arts. [applause]. Please welcome the bestselling author of history with american women and political commentator for abc news and npr, [applause] how beautiful and this is quite wonderful. Singing about history. Mister Vice President , honored guests and supporters, especially the people here today, history has its eyes on you. Its true that in general washington said in the book that you have no control over who tells her stories. But its important that your story and that of the other heroines and heroes of the revolution be told and of course thats what were celebrating here today. There are many stories of bravery onthe battlefield , during eight long years of the American Revolution. But there are many other stories of people not in combat but in support of the cause, the cause of the idea. That became america. , take Martha Washington, she would brave roads, she was a hostage target, she had to brave diseases and the discomforts of old and poor rations to join the troops at camp, not just the awful winter of valley forge but every winter of the long war. And she did it despite her very strong desire to stay home and attend to her duties in mount vernon. But she did it because the general, begged her to come. My friend David Mccullough has written about how important it was that George Washington kept the army together. But he needed martha to do that. And he understood that a person, she and her padre of officers wives were absolutely essential to group troop morale as they came and cooked for the soldiers and so for the soldiers and prayed for the soldiers and nurse the soldiers and put on big entertainment for them to keep them going through the long winter. And martha was around because your tended to be a little indiscreet, there was the time he danced for three hours straight with the very curvy and pretty katie green that was part of that on hand. Keeping up morale was particularly hard in the year 1780. The british were winning on the battlefield, taking american cities, the french had not yet shown up. Something had to be done. For the soldiers. And one woman, here in philadelphia, perhaps more than Martha Washington decided she was the one to do it. Martha reeves understood that even as a woman in the 18th century, a woman with no political power and no legal power, married women could not own property, the jewelry on their bodies belong to their husbands. But when you got skin in the game, you stay in the game but when you dont get a win, unless you play in the game. So he panic, sentiments of an American Woman. It was printed in newspapers up and down the coast. He called on will women of the country to make sacrifices for the armies which depend our lives, our liberties. Now to read an American Woman had been for 10 years, she married joseph reed by 1780 was the president or the governor of pennsylvania. You might like to be called president daughter, and its a nice title. And it was a hard adjustment, she wrote home to england saying i cant not say america is agreeable but soon she became an absolute ardent patriots, ardent for independence as early as october 1775. And the war came and her husband joined George Washingtons forces, esther and her four little children found those refugees running from place to pace to face the british, her former countrymen, think of it. Disease was rampant, smallpox claimed one of her babies but she soon had another and the men came home often enough. Through all of that hardship and think of it, just getting to stay in the 18th century was very hard. She was not worried about herself, she was worried about the troops. So she organized, she became publicly active in a way that a good citizen should. The she organized, the ladys association of pennsylvania or she was elected the leader and then put together teams of women to go door to door around philadelphia and the suburbs and to collect money for the troops. And the publicity about it spurred women in other states to act as well. As the first lady of pennsylvania she wrote to all the other first ladies in the state and asked them to start fundraising drives to troops as well. In fact, the only extent letter of Martha Jefferson that we have because Thomas Jefferson burned all her letters for which i could kill him but the only one we have is her letter as first lady of virginia asking the women of virginia to go to their rural churches and donate money for the troops so that they may have an opportunity of proving that they also participate in this virtuous feeling. And just a couple of weeks, the women raised, the woman in philadelphia rate 300,000. And expected more from the other states. It was almost equal to what robert mars had painstakingly raised to catalyze his venture. So this year a fight with general washington about how to spend the money, you wanted a shirt, she wanted to do something more special for the troops. He was the general, after a series of tense letters, he won. And shirts were made. And after that, she was just shy of her 34th birthday. But distance became raging to philadelphia. And if she succumbed to it. The council and the Assembly Adjourned for her funeral because she was such a noted personage. We business of the ladys association was taken up by Sarah Franklin and the women did, what the general asked and made sure 2200 of them in one place for the troops but just to show that it was Something Special from the women of america, every woman sowed her own name into the shirt so the soldier new there was a woman who cared about him. A citizen who cared about him. Out there , grateful for the work that he was doing and it tied them over. To be time both active and involved citizens in this very great country because history has his eyes on you. Ought not [applause] is welcomed into iran, the Charles Warren professor of history at harvard university. [applause] thank you all for coming out today. Its a real incredible honor to be here. This museum has been a long time coming. We are only not dedicating a museum in the American Revolution. Perhaps that is a good thing. Too often, museums or where history goes to die. People can be forgiven for thinking that anyway. Dad, history commemorated and revered historic complex and confusing, shrouded in secret budget. Legends are powerful. They can motivate people to hair with them. Loyalty to a cause, high ideals and encouraged to carry them out. But they can be brittle. Challengingly too much contrary evidence and we are weaker for it. The history of revolution is and should be a living history. As a live in the aspirations of the president , as it was in the dreams indeed that the past. This kind of history is messy and contradict or a peer tragic and ironic as austin as it is heroic and has the virtue of being closer to the truth. So i am grateful, deeply grateful to the curators of this exhibit for having the courage to tell the truth or to show us not only a proud story of national origin, but a multifaceted account of how one might have experienced the time of such turmoil, the dangers presented, and the hope it offered, dishonored an outcome of agonizing decisions. While there are events to commemorate a great mentor reviewer according to custom, in this museum, American People are on display in from the people, history is a predicament rather than a sequence of singular event to glorify memorialize and make sacred. This is a living exhibit, rendering of the fraud and vexing nature of revolutionary times. From George Washington to end, we can imagine the tension he mustve thought would make a lifeanddeath decisions that would eventually reverberate across the continent in the world. We see the shackles used to in a slave child perhaps like those used to restrain washingtons enclaves at the new nation did not stand for freedom for all. The United States would soon come to hold the largest slave population in the history of the world. And yet, the revolution continued to inspire. We can turn our attention even if only briefly to harry washington. He escaped from out earnings entering the british army where he migrated through nova scotia and eventually sierra leone. In 1800, he joined another rebellion against the british and african colony. We can know that he embodied and american spirit of resolution revolution uncertainty as george paid 25 years after the declaration of independence, the great construct your douglas asked what do the slaves is the fourth of july . His answer, and inspiration to overthrow the tyranny of his day. Decide with the raid against iran, with the weak against the strong and the oppressed against the oppressor he said. Here lies the merit of those revolutionaries and anybody that followed. Like douglas, most americans are not content with reassuring origin stories appeared we were now for the prospect of a Better Future with past struggles as our guide. When we see the American Revolution and its own historical presence will it not only grandeur of long dead heroes, but we appreciate the efforts of common women, men and children of all sorts. Their losses as well as the areas and the determination to turn those losses into lessons to keep them fighting on. Americans can be sure to that path by recommitting ourselves in the time to come, taking history as an inspiration to make the United States the country we dream and need it to be. I for one feel very fortunate this museum is alive right now to show away. [applause] please welcome the chairman of the museum at the American Revolution and the 17 chief of staff of the United States air force, general john p. Jumper. [applause] mr. Vice president , distinguished guests, and jerry, marguerite and your family can do museum of American Revolution honors the courage, sacrifice, toil and blood of a generation who dare to fight the war for independence. They did so on a quest to find a nation dedicated to those selfevident values and truths that all people are created equal and in a conviction that citizen of our nation can and should govern themselves. Now 242 years after the first shot was fired at concorde, the museum will begin its work as an institution that preserves the stories and inspires generations of young people to embrace the meaning of those truths. As a museum, even as a new museum, we have our own story and our own heroes whose courage and sacrifice made today possible. It is both my pleasure in my duty to thank and recognize them. First, our predecessor, the Valley Forge Historical society founded by reverend Herbert Burke and sustained by then he dedicated himself as people throughout the century. Thanks and i can present an unparalleled collection of artifacts presented in our museum. To the National Park service National Park service which give up ownership of this land within the independent National Historical park so we could serve the millions who come here every year. To mr. Robert stern who designed this landmark building in the skilled and tradesmen and workers in the city who built it. Our highest thanks goes to our staff and to their families fled by mike quinn put transponder organizations into a fullgrown and the two shared, who overseen the construction, conceived the remarkable Exhibit Program and assembled a Phenomenal Team of designers, filmmakers, digital programmers and artists to bring us all to life for us. None of this wouldve been possible without the Financial Resources generously given by more than 11,000 donors. 11,000 donors. Remarkable. [applause] not only from philadelphia, but from every state in the union. You will see the names of these major donors chiseled on the stone inside the wall here inside the entrance at the museum. Our deepest thanks go to each and every one of them. Today we reserve our loftiest admiration and deepest respect for the one man most responsible for bringing us to this place on this day and that is jerry land case. [applause] he is here is that this wife marguerite and his family. Jerry became the founding chairman in 2005 and all while languishing in that position last december, he will forever remain the singular selfless power able to elevate the human spirit and inspire human endeavor and to deliver this enduring tribute honoring the nations struggle for independence. Jerry its a privilege to follow u. S. Chairman and its a privilege to recognize you for your selfless dedication and inspiring leadership. Ladies and gentlemen, jerry land pastor lancaster. [applause] jerry just asked me to make a few comments on his behalf. Although it took many years for the museum and the American Revolution to be brought to this nation, it is finally here. Both like to thank all of those who contributed. Way to go, jerry. [applause] thank you, marguerite. Thank you, jerry. Well, it is now my duty to introduce our keynote speaker, former Vice President joe biden. I am not sure what more i can say. Youve heard so much praise the 10, all absolutely true. I do want to add that he is actually from pennsylvania born in scranton. [applause] but at an early age, his family undertook that hazardous crossing of the Delaware River to settle in wilmington. Dear mr. Biden successfully ran for and won a seat in the u. S. Senate in 1972, becoming one of the youngest senator is in American History. And that was just the beginning of a career of one of our nations great public servant. He won election to the senate six times and he was elected Vice President by a spirit ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the 47th Vice President of the United States of america, joe biden. [cheers and applause] thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very, very match. It is you know, those of us who served in Public Office for some time our custom to say its an honor to be here. But this is truly an honor to be invited to participate today and to follow such distinguished speakers. Thank you. Governor come at the to see you. Mr. Mayor, thank you for the passport into philadelphia and all the distinguished guests. I was contemplating when i was flattered to be asked to be keynote. It will not be a long keynote. I was contemplating what i should talk about. I thought about what i think is a fundamental question. What is this museum intended to ban for . Is it our founders who lived the revolution, who gave their lives for the revolution . What were they attempting to do . What do they stand for . I think it is important that we answer that question because its as relevant today as it was then. To paraphrase emerson poem, what did the people here when they heard the shot heard round the world. What was this experiment about . Was that just about independent, revolution or independent . I think applies about an idea, how to give life to a renaissance idea that a country could actually be governed by its people. All of its people, its wealthy people, poor people, people who could read, who couldnt read, educated, uneducated. The revolutionary notion of the consent of the government. It seems to me thats ultimately why they say america was an idea. The idea that people could govern themselves. Not a monarchy, not a system that conferred power on the elite or the military or will they be educated. An idea that ordinary people could do extraordinary things given half a chance. It truly was a revolutionary idea. An idea that both startled and at the same time gave hope to the rest of the world. It is an american idea that i still be gives hope to the rest of the world. I have traveled to almost every country in the world. And the last for years, ive met every major world leader without exception. Why do they look at us the way they do . Why are we still the most respect the nation in the world . With all our fault and not the mistakes weve made. Our principles, our founders it seems to me was referenced already. Again, what was a revolutionary idea that in the french revolution. We hold these truths selfevident. We hold these truths selfevident. There is not in selfevident about that assertion when it was made. All men are created each all, endowed by their creators. We initially asserted that our rights do not column from our government. They calm from the mere fact we are children of god. We exist, therefore we have these rights. We need not ask anyone for any of the rights we possess. This new republic would not be defined by a single raise or religion or by those inalienable rights that to our founders were selfevident and they not selfexecuting. But it took hurt seniors to give those asserted right. 13 years to put these ideas into a document of government, the cons to tuition the constitution. The constitution that made our ends to tuition the guarantor, not the deliverer of, that the guarantor of the inalienable right. It was the vehicle that we construct did here in this city that would enshrine the principle as we said we believed them. And unlike any other nation in the world and not is no hyperbole and that statement, unlike any other nation in the world, the United States is uniquely a product of our political and the two shins. You cannot define an american of race, religion, ethnicity. You can only define an american by an elitist commitment to the notion that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator and guaranteed by the constitution. Our constitution and adherence to principles are the reason why we remained the most respected, emulated, revered nation in the world notwithstanding what you hear today from some others. [applause] i was criticized most of the times totally justifiable racism about 12 years ago when i said in a speech that we leave the world map at the example of firepower, but by the power of our example. That is not hyperbole. [applause] we leave the world by the power of our example. Theres nothing guaranteed about our democracy, though. Nothing guaranteed about selfgovernance. Theres no guarantee guarantee that we will remain the greatest example of freedom and liberty and equality in the history of the world. No guarantee at all. We have to remind ourselves why we been able to accomplish so much. How did we earn that respect . And how can we maintain it . Just as the generation of revolutionaries before us did, just like every generation that followed and will follow. But if you use a contemporary comment, the only way this nation can be governed with the consent of the people is to arrive at a consent to consent this, that requires compromise and requires reaching now. It requires sometimes overlook in. Someone once said the truly wise parent i would argue wise government knows what to overlook as well as what to look at. But Politics Today is pulling us apart at the seams. It has gotten worse. Politics has become too negative, too nasty, too petty, too personal. Partisans are not looked at his opponents, but as enemies. We no longer just question the judgment of our opponents. We spend more time questioning their motives. A very presumptuous thing to do. Cokie heard me say i learned a lesson early on as a young senator. I did not want to go to the senate because of an accident that occurred after i was elected. A man named mike mansfield, a man who had more integrity in his Little Finger than most people have in their whole body came to me and said you owe it to your deceased wife and your child to be sworn in only 1712 had ever been sworn in. Come stay six months. So today i was supposed to be sworn in, i didnt show up. I stayed in the hospital. I changed my mind. So he sent the secretary of the senate to the hospital to swear me in. And when i went down, i got an assignment. I thought every freshman senator got an assignment. Once a week id show up in the Majority Leaders Office to report on the assignment i was given. It took me about three months to figure out all he was doing, god love them as much mother would say. He took my post to see how i was doing. One day at the end of may following the tradition i had which was to walk through those double doors down to the senate to check when the last vote would be so idea which amtrak train i could take to get home to see my sons. Jesse helme of North Carolina was excoriated greater friend of mine to this day, bob dole, and one of my mentors, Teddy Kennedy are the precursor for the americans with disabilities act. Hes talking about is not governments obligation to care or deal with the handicapped, et cetera. So i walked in and sat down for a may meeting. And i guess i looked angry and he said whats the matter. He spoke in tones than i said that jesse home. I went on to basically say he had no socially redeeming value. I didnt understand how you could do what he was doing. He looked at me and said what would you tell me if i told you that gotten jesse helme is two years ago as reading the raleigh observer in their hometown of raleigh, North Carolina. A young man of steel braces up for his hips with steel crutches thing i want for christmas is someone to love me. What would you say if i told you they went and adopt the back child . I said i would feel foolish. He said what they did, joe. He said i learned a long time ago everyone sent you a cent because their state found something good about them. It is your job to look for that. Its always appropriate to question a man or womans judgment, but never their motives because you dont know what. Ladies and gentlemen, we need to focus on the things that unite us. Focus on what our founders understood, that there is nothing beyond our capability, beyond our capacity. Nothing. Focus on the motto that was referenced by a previous speaker e pluribus unum, out of 190. Thats who we are. We are so different. We have so different, but so similar in our aspirations. We have the crucible, the constitution to make those aspirations vain. Histories demonstrate react as one america. No matter whos in charge. Rich, poor, middleclass, white, hispanic, gay, transgendered. One america, even when it is not easy, which most of the time it is not. The setbacks for the xenophobic attitude, we have always eventually stepped forward. We have always overcome. But as martin omalley, who i considered a great friend who was an incredible governor, he heard me say this before when he asked me to speak at fort mchenrys 20th anniversary. I think we are the only country in the world said and done, a National Anthem that ends with a question. I dont think theres any other. I may be mistaken, but i dont theres any other answer than the world that ends with a question. Does that starspangled banner yet wave . That question in its implicit aspiration is a code or every single perilous moment in america and it has helped us indoor over the past two centuries. Was it still waving in the midst 200 years ago at fort mchenry . Was that way than 50 years later as dons early light broke over a nation, ripped apart by civil war . Was that waving on the beaches of normandy and the map of korea, jungles of the chemistry set of falluja and the kootenai valley and afghanistan. Was it still waving . Was that waving over america when americans stood on the moon and ground zero waving money where your president at gettysburg where preacher with the dream at the lincoln memorial. A wave over every embassy, every hour session, every ship, every man, every woman in the service of america. Every firehouse, town and city in this great nation from the front porches of my house and many of yours, waiting for their return. To state the obvious, thus far the resounding is yes. And it will now and forever waive, but only if you hold onto it. Because its not the flags that we are waving. It is what lives within mass. Is it in our heart . Do we really understand and mean what this museum is about to celebrate. And the heart of every american is the every idea of america. They dont even know what to articulate it that way. Ask the average person when you leave here to go to lunch at the street corner. Why do you have the right to doa, b. , c. Or d. . Theyll tell you because the constitution says i do. They may have never even read the constitution. Folks, this is an important, not monument, that reminder that weve got to fight every day to remind ourselves how it got to where we are. And dont ever think that there is ever anything selfexecuting but democracy. Those in this museum, and every movement, every child is going to walk through the store. In the hand with a parent and believes that he or she can do anything. Why . Because we are american. Why . Because we hold these truths selfevident. Why . Because that is all about the consent of the governed. That is what makes us different. That is what makes us special. Thats why it is such an incredible honor to be able to stand here at the opening of this museum before so many of my fellow americans. God bless you all and may god protect our troops. [applause] [cheers and applause] thank you, Vice President biden. Now we please join me, general jumper admire greatly and fast and jerry land fast for opening the doors at the museum of the American People to people around around the world. The philadelphia boys choir will perform america the beautiful when we cut the ribbon and take the photographs. Thank you all for coming. And crowned that good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea God Bless America God Bless America and crowned bag to that good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea america, america, america [cheers and applause] today we have made history. The museum of the American Revolution has now officially open. Please allow our speakers to enter the museum. If you have a ticket to museum, praise preview your entry time. Are those the tickets between now and 1 30 p. M. , you may answer now. For those with tickets after 1 30 p. M. , please aligned 10 minutes in advance of your ticket time. The box office is open for those wishing to purchase tickets or memberships to get busy on. Thank you so much. Have a great day. Sound not [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] some information thats really at this location. The 32,000 squarefoot museum of the American Revolution houses revolutionary war era weapon, personal items and works of art. Also includes theaters and historical recreations. Today marks the anniversary of the revolution at lexington and concorde and the shot heard round the world on april 9th and, 1775. David mccullough spoke earlier at this event. Hes going to be our guest on this weeks q a program which you can watch sunday night at 8 00 eastern. If you missed any of this dedication ceremony, you can see it again tonight at 8 00 eastern on American History tv upon cspan 3. Live coverage now as we take you to a fourmonth high and then Public Policy and what some consider their dissenting views on climate change, evolution and other issues being hosted by the Heritage Foundation here in washing in d. C. Expertise as a license to regulate others and tax others and say listen, trust us. Youve got to do what we say because we are the acts are his. Ordinary people are going to get skeptical not only about your expertise, but your motives and may your agenda is. And they cant understand
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