Even with all her flaws, foibles, and her citizens forgetting her history, I love America.
This Independence Day, here are five pieces of media I recommend we dive into to remember why this nation is worth fighting for.
I know this is an extra article this week, but once I started contemplating the list, it flowed out of me.
The Audiobook Version of 1776 by David McCullough
Woven into the events of the actual calendar year, McCullough provides rich details and perspectives on the fight, how hard the fight was, and most importantly, why we fought in the first place. There is no whitewashing of ideas or people; however, matters are framed in their proper context, historically and philosophically.
McCullough reads his own works and is a delightful and powerful narrator. By hearing the author deliver his own work, we gain so much understanding of how he emphasizes one idea or another. (Note: the YouTube video is the full audiobook, but the fidelity is low.)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart teamed up many years before It’s a Wonderful Life. (This movie is even more powerful if you watch IaWL afterward knowing that Stewart and Capra—and our nation—endured World War II between the movies.) What would happen if someone who loved the U.S., wasn’t jaded by the crushing cogs of grift and favors of Washington politics, and truly wanted to govern became a Senator?
If possible, try to imagine what it would’ve been like for the average American to go see this movie in the neighborhood theatre. In 1939, the effects of the Depression still weighed us down. Frequent travel was not a part of the American experience. We weren’t a car culture yet. Flying was still for the elite. Most didn’t leave their counties let alone their states. Moviegoers might have seen color photographs in magazines, but newspaper reviews of the movie reported gasps from audience members when Jefferson Smith sees the monuments of Washington, D.C. thus allowing many Americans to see them for the first time, too.
The Patriot
The movie has its problems, but there are too many scenes in it that illustrate powerful concepts like state’s rights, honor, deference, diplomacy, and freedom. Two scenes will always stand out to me. First, while Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) mourns his son’s brutal death at the hands of a British officer without honor, he finds an American flag in his son’s effects. The conversations about and the handling of the actual flag stir my soul. Secondly, throughout the film, we see the tension between a slave and a soldier under Martin. This story arc provides a stark illustration of one of the aspects of the issue we should wrestle with instead of throwing soundbites at each other.
If for no other reason, watch the movie to revel in John Williams’ stirring score which is sure to help you stand taller. Your right hand will naturally move to your heart.
The Opening Few Minutes of Season 1, Episode 1 of The Newsroom
Aaron Sorkin ins one of my favorite writers of all time even though we hold differing points of view about many political issues. No matter where you reside on the political spectrum, this scene, which sets up the incredible series, will make you angry and stir your pride in our nation. And hopefully, it will cause you to want to work harder, be a part of the process, know your representatives, show up at meetings, and make your voice known.
Clips of the scene have made the rounds online for years since the show’s release (like this one), but they miss the context of McAvoy’s answer. If you can, watch on HBO Max to see the very first words through 8:05.
(And if you have a place in your heart for journalism and television news, watch the opening credits sequence, too. It will move you.)
A Capitol Fourth
I will continue to give money to PBS as long as they produce the Memorial Day concert and A Capitol Fourth every year. The music, stories, sights, and crowd thrill me. I watch recordings of A Capitol Fourth if I leave the house for fireworks. It means that much every year.
For America’s 250th, they are pulling out all the stops with the band Chicago, Kool & the Gang, Patti LaBelle, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Gary Sinese, and so many more.
Miracle
The greatest moment in American sports history is beautifully set against the reality of the Cold War, the hostage crisis, insane gas prices, and America’s general malaise following the Vietnam War.
At one point, the movie makers play an extended clip from one of President Jimmy Carter’s speeches. If you only know the caricature of the man, you may leave your viewing with a greater understanding of how our nation elected him.
Watch carefully for every mention of the crowd, or how America responds, or the support for the team. And marvel at Al Michaels’ call of the game. Much was recreated for the movie since it shortened game action, but the audio wizards cleaned up the actual “Do You Believe in Miracles?” portion because nothing moves like how he said it in the moment.
Band of Brothers
The book is magnificent. The HBO series is transcendent. Both stand equally well. The book contains detail and history, paints the 1940s so well, and puts all of the battles in a greater context of World War II. The HBO series allows you to hear the bullets, planes, and aircraft, feel the Georgia heat and the frigid cold of the Ardennes, and experience jumping out of a plane on fire.
Invest the time to experience the entire book or series.
Before Independence Day, however, watch Episode 9, Why We Fight.
America: You’re Too Young to Die
This is must-watch viewing for the Semiquincentennial. President Ronald Reagan has a few remarks in this excellently produced history lesson from 1985. I have watched this many times over the years. I laugh every time at Hal Smith’s portrayal of Benjamin Franklin (my favorite). I tear up every time with the intent of the special.
This telecast is part history lesson, part patriotic display, and part call to greater things. Don’t dismiss the 1980s production and perspective on issues and don’t wave your hand over the points it makes. Take in the heart of what they were attempting to accomplish.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Sandi Patty
Whitney Houston’s rendition makes you cheer. Jimi Hendrix’s brings the wows. The barbershop quartet in Hoosiers makes you smile. There are 100 other renditions worth noting including the first time you sang it out loud in a stadium with thousands of other Americans. For me, this recording and this supercut stand supreme.
In 1986, ten years after the bicentennial, New York City held Liberty Weekend which included cultural, sports, music, historical, craft, and boating events to celebrate the 210th birthday of our nation. President and Mrs. Reagan addressed the crowd, Scott Hamilton jumped and spun on the ice, tall ships crowded the harbor, the Statue of Liberty gleamed, and ABC News gushed about it all.
Don’t skip ahead to the music. Listen to Peter Jennings describe this recording. I love this. He says, “Somebody in this shop heard a woman sing he Star-Spangled Banner not too long ago. She comes from Anderson, Indiana. We thought you’d like to hear it, too. Her name is Sandi Patti.” [Peter Jennings was born in Toronto, Canada and did become a US citizen in 2003.]
The orchestra starts, and builds, and thrills. David Clydesdale, who has arranged orchestral parts for recording artists for many decades, put this together and presents a different musical tapestry for each additional lyrics and multiple key changes… that just keep going. And just when you think it’s over and can’t go any higher, she takes it another half-step up.