Independence Day

John Adams may have been off by two days when he wrote that July 2nd (the day on which the Second Continental Congress actually voted for independence) would be celebrated with “Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” but he was remarkably correct about how Independence Day would be celebrated. If you need some escape from the heat of the day before going back out for the fireworks, here are some ideas from your library:

1776 is the classic movie musical story of the Declaration of Independence. As far as movies with endings that we already know go, it builds suspense better than any other. If you have only seen the theatrical or video cuts, on the DVD you will find a song from the play that was removed from the movie, allegedly under pressure from the Nixon White House due to perceived anti-conservative sentiments.

If you prefer a documentary approach, try Liberty! The American Revolution, a six part, three DVD PBS series that spans from the period just after the French and Indian War through the writing of the Constitution. Told largely through the words of original documents, the series features many familiar faces depicting various historical figures and a soundtrack by Mark O’Connor, who visited Dayton last fall to play with the Philharmonic, and James Taylor. The soundtrack is also available on CD, and the library also owns a tie-in book by the same title by Thomas J. Fleming.

-- Kristen, Main Library