At the kennedy institute, we are committed to engaging the public in a conversation about the role each one of us plays in our democracy and in our society. We do that through Civic Education programs that bring the United States senate to life and conversations like tonight that bring American History into focus. We are very proud to partner with the Massachusetts Historical Society on todays program. They are an invaluable resource for american life, history, and culture. All of us at the institute are also proud together together a group of panelists for the program, including our moderator, fred tice. He covers news related to politics and Higher Education at wbur where he has been since 1988 serving as a trusted source of truth and information. He previously was the nbc news bureau chief in mexico city and the south america reporter for cbs news based in argentina. Joining fred on the panel are four scholars who provide erspective on, and knowledge of, our nations founders. Togeth
Of the museum at the corner of third and Chestnut Street in old city philadelphia. Philadelphia was the headquarters of the revolution. This is where delegates came. This is where the protest against british oppression first mounted. This is where the declaration of independence was written. So this really is the most central element of the American Revolution, the birth of our nation, which is why this museum is located here. Just down the street from me is the first bank of the states. Alexander hamiltons branch bank when he launched our nations banking system. It is also the first building constructed by the United States of america. So we, truly, are where the nation began, and it is the right place to tell the entire story of the American Revolution. It is our mission in this museum. Behind me, you see cannons from the era. These are part of the city of philadelphias collection. Every one of these canons is old enough that it could have been used to fight the revolution. Behind me
On his undergraduate course on the topic of ordinary lives in the American Revolution. And his book, stolen five free boys kidnapped into slavery and their journey home, which tells the true story of five boys kidnapped in the north and sold into slavery in the deep south and that during attempt to escape and bring their captors to justice, is being published by Simon Schuster in october. Thank you once again for joining us this evening, and without any further ado, please join me in welcoming dr. Rick bell. [applause] dr. Bell thanks to heather, thanks to cspan for covering this. Those of you who might have been to the Smithsonian Associates before and heard me give other programs wont be surprised to hear my strange accent, which is not exactly a maryland natives accent. I was raised in england yet find myself teaching about the American Revolution as part of my job, which let me tell you is a blessing and a curse, an undergraduate classroom to teach with an accent like this. Im very
To put them on before i do the introduction and introduce our wonderful guests tonight. Lindsay chervinsky is a white house historian at the White House Historical association. She is the author of the new book the cabinet George Washington and the creation of an american institution. She is widely published. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her recently on a podcast, and i cannot wait to share her work and her insights with you. Lindsay, welcome to americas town hall. Lindsay thank you so much for having me. Jeffrey and edward larson, the hugh and hazel darling chair of law and professor at pepperdine university. He is a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in history. He is the coauthor of 14 books, several of them on George Washington and the founders, and his newest book is franklin and washington the founding partnership. It is wonderful to welcome you back to the National Constitution center. Edward thank you so much for having me back, even if only virtually. Jeffrey well, it
Philadelphia was the headquarters. Against protests british oppression first mounted. It was written just 200 yards away. This really is the most essential element, the birth of our nation. It ishe street from me, the first bank of the u. S. , Alexander Hamiltons banking system. It is the first building constructed by the usa, so we are truly where the nation began. It is the right place to tell the story. Cannons. See they are part of the city of philadelphias collection. Each one is old enough that it could have been used to fight the revolution. On the wall behind me, you see, concepts. Stone, core ofpiring, lofty ideals freedom, liberty, selfgovernment. 1776, but the revolution continues to this very day. Over here, we have wonderful exterior features of the museum that really help extend our story and is the outside of the building to inform people about the revolution. The first one is a giant sculptural relief, John Trumbull painting the declaration of independence. What you are