And this is the importantly point: it talks about everything rather than providing a narrow view. Trump probably stopped watching it as soon as it discussed the indigenous nations that existed before 1776.
2 Likes
I couldnât find the quote in the show but Burns said in interviews it was the most important event in world history since the birth of Christ. Itâs definitely up there, in terms of long-lasting effects. It set a template for many other countries to overthrow their colonial overseers. It didnât have to always be violent, but it showed the other European powers that holding onto colonies can get very expensive if the local population is determined enough.
The Industrial Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment, both of which contributed towards the American Revolution were probably more important on the world stage. Prior to that, the Reformation and Renaissance were big events.
The effects of the Chinese Communist Revolution are still playing out so it may gain more significance with time.
This is so totally ironic, given that Americans donât drink tea, they drink coffee. Much ado about nothing.
Didnât they give up drinking tea in protest? An 18th century equivalent to giving up Bud Light.
1 Like
It is resonating much more with me after watching additional episodes. Excellent documentary! Will watch it to the end.
It has inspired me to find out more about my ancestor (Zenas Ross) who fought in the AR. Turns out he enlisted initially with a Vermont rebel militia before joining the Kingâs Regiment which gave him loyalist rights in CanadaâŚ..
I found out that there was a book written about Zenas Ross in 1935. The NY Public Library system has a copy of it but you need a NYPL card to get it scanned. I am ineligible for an NYPL card so am contacting people in NYC to get a scanned copy. I am hoping it tells why he switched sides but it could be as simple as being forced into both enlistments.
His father-in-law was a Wright who was a direct ancestor of the Wright Brothers: they were second cousins of my great-grandfather. Zenas Rossâ wife, Rachel Wright, did eventually join him in Canada along with their kids. The other Wrights remained loyal to the new USA.
Sorry for the personal stuff but the documentary prompted it. Happy to hear stories that others have regarding their ancestorsâ AR participation.
4 Likes
Good to hear Michael Mando as Lafayette. He did such a great job as Nacho I was surprised to find out he was from Quebec.
2 Likes
Um, âŚ
My Grandparents on fatherâs side born in late 1800âs in a European country, immigrated here.
My Great-Grandparents on motherâs side born in mid(?) 1800âs in a different European country, immigrated here.
Same religion, so it wasnât a âBridget Loves Bernieâ situation (I figure youâll get that reference)..
Anywho, I am no son of the A.R.
To relate this back to the topic, Ken Burns shows immigrants from those time periods in other docs.
Had a great uncle who was a US Congressman from PA. Thatâs it.
Not to mention pointing out the hypocrisy of the freedom wishes of the slave-owning white elites.
Pretty much every other minute. Gonna make Donnie angry!!
White people: âWe want our freedom!â
Slave: âUh, hold my cotton bag.â
3 Likes
Yeah, I donât go back that far, either. I do have at least one Civil War ancestor, though. My parents had gone to the National Archives and happened to choose him to look up. He was from NY state, got shot (foot, I seem to recall) at Spotsylvania, got taken prisoner and was sent to Andersonville, where he survived but was never healthy after that. The box they had at the Archives was amazing. It had all his pay records, record of him and a bunch of guys going AWOL for a weekend, etc. Plus, after the war, his widow petitioned for a pension based on his death being due to his service. The petition included originals of all his childrenâs birth certificates, etc.
I never had any interest in history when I was in school. I think it would have been a lot different if Iâd have first known of familial ties to events and the state of the country. History in school seemed anything but personal.
Anyone watching Pluribus?
2 Likes
One of my great uncles way back rode with Paul Revere as part of the midnight ride.
2 Likes
After I started to get some appreciation for history, it gave me a kick that my daily commute home from work when I lived in MA was along much of that path, through Lexington and Concord.
4 Likes
Yes. So far, still feels like a lot of foundational work, hoping pretty soon we start to move on to some more serious content. Love Rhea Seehorn.
3 Likes
not yet. but the combo of gilligan and rhea seahorn has that one circled for me. I donât enjoy waiting so need more episodes released before jumping in
1 Like
Finally finished âSeinfeldâ rewatch. Decided to skip the clip show. Finale was partly a clip show, and pretty much unnecessary to watch.
Tonightâs episode got me hooked.
3 Likes
same
You should list your top 10 episodes
Eh.
Synopsis:
It is a show about how people who work in LA writing a TV show, who may or may not have lived in NYC, think people in NYC are. And, itâs a great way to meet pretty actresses to see how well they kiss, cuz they ainât gonna kiss me otherwise.