Unfortunately, many of us do not have Netflix. I for one can't afford to buy all these streaming services. I strongly encourage everyone to read Ron Chernow's very detailed biography of Washington. Over 800 pages but well worth the read. It's going to be so very hot this 4th of July so it will be a good time to stay inside, stay cool, and read.
On a completely unrelated yet related note, do you all realize that this 4th of July is the bicentennial of the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, founding fathers who died on the same day, 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
It's remarkable for history to note that Jefferson and Adams, once friends and close colleagues in the fight for independence, had a falling out that lasted to near the end of their lives when they again rekindled their old friendship through a remarkable exchange of letters. Adams's last words are recorded as 'Thomas Jefferson survives', but, sadly, Jefferson had passed away hours earlier at his home in Monticello. America lost two of its greatest founding generation on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Thanks for the reminder, Paulette.
PBS has a wonderful lineup for the 4th. Williamsburg is going all out for the holiday and has a wonderful slew of performers and music. Check your local listings for programming,
I always started my U.S. History semester 1 class with "Hamilton". Virtually every student I ever had loved it, and got hooked on Revolutionary history.
The incomparable Christopher Jackson, who played the part of Washington, illuminated one of the story's main themes:
"I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
I led my men straight into a massacre
I witnessed their deaths firsthand
I made every mistake
I felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake
Knowing history has its eyes on me..."
Washington knew that every move he made was likely to become a precedent, so he strove to set a good (not perfect) example for our nation. And every president who came after felt a responsibility to respect those precedents, until master baiter and egomaniac Trump came along.
We also do not have Netflix or any other streaming service for that matter. Watching Ken Burns's documentary on the American revolution, however, offered good insights into Washington, and also made it clear how close we came, throughout the war, to not winning independence. In some ways, Washington had to grind down the British until Yorktown offered the option to finish the fighting. We often feel impatient these days in our own battle to preserve American democracy. We need these reminders that the war was eight years long, and that the people persisted, and our country came into being. Even then, there were fraught years before the Constitutional Convention and Washington's inauguration as our first president. We have faced difficult times throughout our national history. Now is our time to make sure that we hand over a democracy to future Americans.
When friends and family lament the length of time it takes to make change, I often remind them that none of the suffragists at the 1848 Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY, lived long enough to see the enactment of the 19th amendment in 1920, almost 75 years later. I tell them that history is long and our lifetimes are short. Do not give up the fight because it seems that nothing is changing.
Thank you for giving us such a well written piece. I do feel that the Democrats need to continue damning the torpedoes full speed so we can get our country back.
One of Washington's great qualities is that he didn't make the same mistake twice. He learned from them. The current occupant of the White House is incapable of learning anything.
As for the Revolutionary War, the US didn't so much win it, as the British lost it. The "grinding down" metaphor is very apt. Plus, there were many close calls. If Benedict Arnold had not been arrested before he gave the West Point plans to the British, the war would have been prolonged or possibly lost.
Some of the justices read history through a beer bottle, others through dollar bills, and still others through the dirty windows of motor homes. No names need be mentioned as we know who they are by now.
Good article. A timely reminder that our founders were flawed people. But they gave us the tools -- if we'll use them -- to form a more perfect union. We can honor them by doing better than they did.
Dead on as usual, Jen. I watched the Washington documentary series, and as much as I thought I knew about him, I learned more. Think about this: If he doesn't decide to cross the Delaware with a small band of soldiers on that frigid night and take the fight to the enemy, we're all drinking tea and eating crumpets right now. The United States experiment would have failed. That's why, even though I know he's a demented, vain, and ignorant huckster, it boils my blood to hear Trump talk as though he's one of our greatest presidents. He's so far buried at the bottom of the list, he'll stay there forever. Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis were men of great intellect and foresight, who all helped not only advance our cause but save it. Trump has diminished us, but we'll make a triumphant return, despite all the SCOTUS decisions, gerrymandering, and other political dirty tricks. This time, thanks to the ignorance and greed of Trump, the Republicans have gone too far and exposed their tactics to lifelong Republicans who have FINALLY figured out which party cares about the people, and which party wants to fleece them.
Theodore Roosevelt was another memorable President. Although a Republican (of that iteration) he championed some good causes for the country, not to mention the establishment of our early national parks.
By all means elevate public virtues. But at the same time, if it means the Dems go back to playing by the old rules of the game, we will lose. That's not going to be an easy path to navigate.
A number of actions this week by leading Dems seems to indicate they aren't taking your advice.
Hillary Clinton's endorsement of Trump's 'Board of Peace' may be the worst, and the least reported. Her claim that 'there is no alternative' is so blatantly false, it's hard to believe she could say such a thing with a straight face.
Joe Ellis’s biography of Washington is also excellent. So glad someone mentioned the bicentennial of Adams and Jefferson’s death, just hours apart in 1826.
So many strong leaders raised by single mothers. Is that a pattern? Perhaps just one of Trump’s downfalls was the influence of his less than loving father.
Washington was certainly obsessed with his reputation and image. He wanted to maintain the image of a “benevolent” slave master (the biggest contradiction and oxymoron there is). He and his wife hounded and put a bounty on his runaway slave, Ona Judge. Her running away made him “look bad.” Ona Judge, this enslaved woman who died penniless in deep poverty but a free woman, is the real hero here. She was the one who sought actual freedom from her enslaver who talked about liberty but sought to deny that to other humans. Please read the book “Never Caught” by the historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar. It does not sound like this Netflix documentary that romanticizes Washington even mentions Ona Judge, letting alone doing her justice. For America’s birthday, learn about real liberty by learning about Ona Judge.
Finally someone mentions this. Rubin says the documentary is s 'warts-and-all' view, and I haven't seen the doc, but Rubin does not once mention the word' slavery' or anything related to it.
Washington also signed the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act, and took no public moves to stop slavery. Even the fact that his will freed his slaves upon his death he self serving; why not free them when he was alive if he had such a change of heart?
I understand its 250 Week and there are articles all over about our history right now, but I for one am already tired of the hagiography around many of these leaders. There is plenty of good faith debate to be had over the merits of the founding period and all it entails, but still so many big parts get left out.
Meanwhile, there is still huge news happening right now. SCOTUS issued a string of absolutely terrible rulings- even the must celebrated decision on birthright citizenship, which was only a 5-4 decision when considering the Constitutional Issue, is scandalous. There is simply no way this should not have been an easy 9-0 decision.
We know who should be taking note here. If George Washington was alive today what would he think. Washington was a pragmatist and essentially no nonsense. He’s part of the reason why we have such a great democracy. He believed in it and he believed in others with great minds how to create the best experiment in the world. Thanks Jen for the history lesson!
Indeed! I am on my way to Newport RI. There is a statue on the harbor of Rochambeau who met there with Washington. The French contributed troops. with Lafayette and Admiral de Grasse. They helped defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown. We owe them, and they gave us the Statue of Liberty, I hope we can preserve it.
Unfortunately, many of us do not have Netflix. I for one can't afford to buy all these streaming services. I strongly encourage everyone to read Ron Chernow's very detailed biography of Washington. Over 800 pages but well worth the read. It's going to be so very hot this 4th of July so it will be a good time to stay inside, stay cool, and read.
On a completely unrelated yet related note, do you all realize that this 4th of July is the bicentennial of the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, founding fathers who died on the same day, 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
It's remarkable for history to note that Jefferson and Adams, once friends and close colleagues in the fight for independence, had a falling out that lasted to near the end of their lives when they again rekindled their old friendship through a remarkable exchange of letters. Adams's last words are recorded as 'Thomas Jefferson survives', but, sadly, Jefferson had passed away hours earlier at his home in Monticello. America lost two of its greatest founding generation on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Thanks for the reminder, Paulette.
PBS has a wonderful lineup for the 4th. Williamsburg is going all out for the holiday and has a wonderful slew of performers and music. Check your local listings for programming,
You could subscribe on a trial basis and then unsubscribe just to watch Jen’s recommendation. The cost would be minimal.
Agree, that works. And Netflix is one of the streaming services less afraid of DJT. I have cancelled many of them because of that.
For me that Washington refused to become in effect a king is the best of him.
He knew how to say goodbye unlike the Orange Lump in the WH today.
A good-bye from George Washington wouldn't have effected investigations, trials, and prison. The one today is a different story.
I always started my U.S. History semester 1 class with "Hamilton". Virtually every student I ever had loved it, and got hooked on Revolutionary history.
The incomparable Christopher Jackson, who played the part of Washington, illuminated one of the story's main themes:
"I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
I led my men straight into a massacre
I witnessed their deaths firsthand
I made every mistake
I felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake
Knowing history has its eyes on me..."
Washington knew that every move he made was likely to become a precedent, so he strove to set a good (not perfect) example for our nation. And every president who came after felt a responsibility to respect those precedents, until master baiter and egomaniac Trump came along.
Hamilton the musical was one of the best things to happen to enable our youth to learn their history.
Yes!
We also do not have Netflix or any other streaming service for that matter. Watching Ken Burns's documentary on the American revolution, however, offered good insights into Washington, and also made it clear how close we came, throughout the war, to not winning independence. In some ways, Washington had to grind down the British until Yorktown offered the option to finish the fighting. We often feel impatient these days in our own battle to preserve American democracy. We need these reminders that the war was eight years long, and that the people persisted, and our country came into being. Even then, there were fraught years before the Constitutional Convention and Washington's inauguration as our first president. We have faced difficult times throughout our national history. Now is our time to make sure that we hand over a democracy to future Americans.
When friends and family lament the length of time it takes to make change, I often remind them that none of the suffragists at the 1848 Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY, lived long enough to see the enactment of the 19th amendment in 1920, almost 75 years later. I tell them that history is long and our lifetimes are short. Do not give up the fight because it seems that nothing is changing.
Thank you for giving us such a well written piece. I do feel that the Democrats need to continue damning the torpedoes full speed so we can get our country back.
Yes, Don’t give up the ship….. of state!
...cunning ambitious and unprincipled men. "He has a lean and hungry look". A Cassius Cabinet.
OUR government is riddled with them.
Midterms.
One of Washington's great qualities is that he didn't make the same mistake twice. He learned from them. The current occupant of the White House is incapable of learning anything.
As for the Revolutionary War, the US didn't so much win it, as the British lost it. The "grinding down" metaphor is very apt. Plus, there were many close calls. If Benedict Arnold had not been arrested before he gave the West Point plans to the British, the war would have been prolonged or possibly lost.
The current Supreme Court should take a look at George Washington's example. For originalists they are woefully ignorant of real history.
Some of the justices read history through a beer bottle, others through dollar bills, and still others through the dirty windows of motor homes. No names need be mentioned as we know who they are by now.
Good article. A timely reminder that our founders were flawed people. But they gave us the tools -- if we'll use them -- to form a more perfect union. We can honor them by doing better than they did.
Dead on as usual, Jen. I watched the Washington documentary series, and as much as I thought I knew about him, I learned more. Think about this: If he doesn't decide to cross the Delaware with a small band of soldiers on that frigid night and take the fight to the enemy, we're all drinking tea and eating crumpets right now. The United States experiment would have failed. That's why, even though I know he's a demented, vain, and ignorant huckster, it boils my blood to hear Trump talk as though he's one of our greatest presidents. He's so far buried at the bottom of the list, he'll stay there forever. Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis were men of great intellect and foresight, who all helped not only advance our cause but save it. Trump has diminished us, but we'll make a triumphant return, despite all the SCOTUS decisions, gerrymandering, and other political dirty tricks. This time, thanks to the ignorance and greed of Trump, the Republicans have gone too far and exposed their tactics to lifelong Republicans who have FINALLY figured out which party cares about the people, and which party wants to fleece them.
For millions of us, Trump is not an actual POTUS which is why when the living former US Presidents get together, Trump is never invited.
Theodore Roosevelt was another memorable President. Although a Republican (of that iteration) he championed some good causes for the country, not to mention the establishment of our early national parks.
By all means elevate public virtues. But at the same time, if it means the Dems go back to playing by the old rules of the game, we will lose. That's not going to be an easy path to navigate.
A number of actions this week by leading Dems seems to indicate they aren't taking your advice.
Hillary Clinton's endorsement of Trump's 'Board of Peace' may be the worst, and the least reported. Her claim that 'there is no alternative' is so blatantly false, it's hard to believe she could say such a thing with a straight face.
Many thanks for the heads-up about the Netflix series - I hadn't known about it and will definitely watch it.
We also need a return to a modern day version of Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.
Joe Ellis’s biography of Washington is also excellent. So glad someone mentioned the bicentennial of Adams and Jefferson’s death, just hours apart in 1826.
So many strong leaders raised by single mothers. Is that a pattern? Perhaps just one of Trump’s downfalls was the influence of his less than loving father.
Washington was certainly obsessed with his reputation and image. He wanted to maintain the image of a “benevolent” slave master (the biggest contradiction and oxymoron there is). He and his wife hounded and put a bounty on his runaway slave, Ona Judge. Her running away made him “look bad.” Ona Judge, this enslaved woman who died penniless in deep poverty but a free woman, is the real hero here. She was the one who sought actual freedom from her enslaver who talked about liberty but sought to deny that to other humans. Please read the book “Never Caught” by the historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar. It does not sound like this Netflix documentary that romanticizes Washington even mentions Ona Judge, letting alone doing her justice. For America’s birthday, learn about real liberty by learning about Ona Judge.
Finally someone mentions this. Rubin says the documentary is s 'warts-and-all' view, and I haven't seen the doc, but Rubin does not once mention the word' slavery' or anything related to it.
Washington also signed the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act, and took no public moves to stop slavery. Even the fact that his will freed his slaves upon his death he self serving; why not free them when he was alive if he had such a change of heart?
I understand its 250 Week and there are articles all over about our history right now, but I for one am already tired of the hagiography around many of these leaders. There is plenty of good faith debate to be had over the merits of the founding period and all it entails, but still so many big parts get left out.
Meanwhile, there is still huge news happening right now. SCOTUS issued a string of absolutely terrible rulings- even the must celebrated decision on birthright citizenship, which was only a 5-4 decision when considering the Constitutional Issue, is scandalous. There is simply no way this should not have been an easy 9-0 decision.
We know who should be taking note here. If George Washington was alive today what would he think. Washington was a pragmatist and essentially no nonsense. He’s part of the reason why we have such a great democracy. He believed in it and he believed in others with great minds how to create the best experiment in the world. Thanks Jen for the history lesson!
Let's also not forget the help we received from the French.
Indeed! I am on my way to Newport RI. There is a statue on the harbor of Rochambeau who met there with Washington. The French contributed troops. with Lafayette and Admiral de Grasse. They helped defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown. We owe them, and they gave us the Statue of Liberty, I hope we can preserve it.