17761776Hollywood vs. History:Hollywood vs. History:

Fiction vs. FactFiction vs. Fact

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Mr. StephensonMr. Stephenson

1. The Way the Declaration was 1. The Way the Declaration was signedsigned

Movie (Hollywood OR Fiction): Everyone Movie (Hollywood OR Fiction): Everyone signs on July 4, 1776 and only one signer signs on July 4, 1776 and only one signer from every state autographs the declaration from every state autographs the declaration during a formal ceremony.during a formal ceremony.

Reality (History OR Fact): Any member of Reality (History OR Fact): Any member of the Continental Congress could sign the the Continental Congress could sign the Declaration. Most sign beginning on August Declaration. Most sign beginning on August 2, 1776 but the last signer, Col. Thomas 2, 1776 but the last signer, Col. Thomas McKean of Delaware, does not sign until McKean of Delaware, does not sign until January, 1777. There is no formal signing January, 1777. There is no formal signing ceremony. Some signers were not present ceremony. Some signers were not present for the vote on the Declaration, yet they for the vote on the Declaration, yet they sign the document anyway.sign the document anyway.

2. John Dickinson2. John Dickinson

2. John Dickinson2. John Dickinson

Movie (Fiction): John Dickinson votes against Movie (Fiction): John Dickinson votes against independence and storms out of Congress when independence and storms out of Congress when asked to sign the document. Pennsylvania asked to sign the document. Pennsylvania votes in favor of independence, 2-1.votes in favor of independence, 2-1.

Reality (Fact): Both John Dickinson and Robert Reality (Fact): Both John Dickinson and Robert Morris of Pennsylvania fail to appear in Morris of Pennsylvania fail to appear in Congress on the day that the vote on the Congress on the day that the vote on the Declaration was taken. That left only 5 Declaration was taken. That left only 5 Pennsylvania delegates to vote on the Pennsylvania delegates to vote on the resolution. Pennsylvania votes 3-2 in favor of resolution. Pennsylvania votes 3-2 in favor of the Declaration.the Declaration.

3. Robert Morris3. Robert Morris

3. Robert Morris3. Robert Morris

Movie (Fiction): Ah, was he even in Movie (Fiction): Ah, was he even in the movie? No…the movie? No…

Reality (Fact): Robert Morris initially Reality (Fact): Robert Morris initially opposed independence, so much so opposed independence, so much so that he, along with John Dickinson, that he, along with John Dickinson, did not vote on it on July 2, 1776. did not vote on it on July 2, 1776. However, unlike Dickinson, Morris However, unlike Dickinson, Morris eventually signed the Declaration eventually signed the Declaration and became known as the “Financier and became known as the “Financier of the Revolution.” Quite a role for of the Revolution.” Quite a role for someone NOT in the 1776 Musical.someone NOT in the 1776 Musical.

4. Samuel Adams4. Samuel Adams

4. Samuel Adams4. Samuel Adams

Movie (Fiction): Again, where is he in Movie (Fiction): Again, where is he in the movie?the movie?

Reality (Fact): The British called him Reality (Fact): The British called him “the most dangerous man in “the most dangerous man in Massachusetts.” We call him “the Massachusetts.” We call him “the Father of American Independence.” Father of American Independence.” Jefferson called him “truly the Man of Jefferson called him “truly the Man of the Revolution.” He caused the the Revolution.” He caused the British to march on Lexington and British to march on Lexington and Concord, yet Sam Adams is NOT in Concord, yet Sam Adams is NOT in the 1776 Musical. Huh? the 1776 Musical. Huh?

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush5. Dr. Benjamin Rush

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush5. Dr. Benjamin Rush

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush5. Dr. Benjamin Rush

Movie (Fiction): Again, NOT in the Movie (Fiction): Again, NOT in the movie.movie.

Reality (Fact): He was not in the Reality (Fact): He was not in the movie because he was NOT present movie because he was NOT present for the vote, yet he still signed the for the vote, yet he still signed the Declaration of Independence. MANY Declaration of Independence. MANY of the signers were not present for the of the signers were not present for the vote. Later, Dr. Rush greatly prepares vote. Later, Dr. Rush greatly prepares Meriwether Lewis for a journey to the Meriwether Lewis for a journey to the Pacific Ocean with William Clark.Pacific Ocean with William Clark.

6. Richard Henry Lee6. Richard Henry Lee

6. Richard Henry Lee6. Richard Henry Lee

Movie (Fiction): Apparent-LEE, Lee does Movie (Fiction): Apparent-LEE, Lee does not sign the Declaration since he is back not sign the Declaration since he is back in Virginia acting as Governor.in Virginia acting as Governor.

Reality (Fact): The man who gave us Reality (Fact): The man who gave us “Lee’s Resolution” and the conclusion to “Lee’s Resolution” and the conclusion to the Declaration of Independence, that is the Declaration of Independence, that is these united colonies are, and of right these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent ought to be, free and independent states, was indeed NOT present for the states, was indeed NOT present for the vote. Yet Richard Henry Lee most vote. Yet Richard Henry Lee most famous-LEE signs the Declaration at a famous-LEE signs the Declaration at a later time.later time.

7. Samuel Chase7. Samuel Chase

7. Samuel Chase7. Samuel Chase

Movie (Fiction): Chase had to be convinced Movie (Fiction): Chase had to be convinced to vote for independence. Adams and to vote for independence. Adams and Franklin take him to see the soldiers and as Franklin take him to see the soldiers and as a result, Chase changes his mind.a result, Chase changes his mind.

Reality (Fact): Chase supported Reality (Fact): Chase supported independence, so much so that he on his independence, so much so that he on his own, not Adams or Franklin’s doings, raced own, not Adams or Franklin’s doings, raced home to push the state legislature to vote home to push the state legislature to vote FOR independence. Then he raced back to FOR independence. Then he raced back to Philadelphia, a distance of 100 miles in two Philadelphia, a distance of 100 miles in two days, to be present for the vote on days, to be present for the vote on Independence.Independence.

8. Col. Thomas McKean8. Col. Thomas McKean

8. Col. Thomas McKean8. Col. Thomas McKean

Movie: Raced back to Delaware to pick up Movie: Raced back to Delaware to pick up Caesar Rodney and then back to Caesar Rodney and then back to Philadelphia to be present for the vote on Philadelphia to be present for the vote on Independence.Independence.

Reality: On July 1Reality: On July 1stst, McKean learns of the , McKean learns of the SHOCKING news that fellow Delaware SHOCKING news that fellow Delaware delegate George Read will vote against delegate George Read will vote against independence. Instead of going himself, independence. Instead of going himself, McKean sends a messenger to Caesar McKean sends a messenger to Caesar Rodney. After the vote and before McKean Rodney. After the vote and before McKean could sign the Declaration, McKean went could sign the Declaration, McKean went off to fight in the War. He returned to sign off to fight in the War. He returned to sign the Declaration sometime in 1777.the Declaration sometime in 1777.

9. Caesar Rodney9. Caesar Rodney

9. Caesar Rodney9. Caesar Rodney

Movie: Rodney is deathly sick and is Movie: Rodney is deathly sick and is barely alive. McKean brings Rodney barely alive. McKean brings Rodney back just in time for the Independence back just in time for the Independence vote.vote.

Reality: Rodney did have throat cancer Reality: Rodney did have throat cancer and asthma. He did wear a green scarf and asthma. He did wear a green scarf around his head. He was also very around his head. He was also very much alive. By himself, he rode 80 much alive. By himself, he rode 80 miles in 14 hours to get to Philadelphia miles in 14 hours to get to Philadelphia in time for the vote on Independence. in time for the vote on Independence. He died in June 1784—8 years after the He died in June 1784—8 years after the Declaration was created.Declaration was created.

10. Edward Rutledge10. Edward Rutledge

10. Edward Rutledge10. Edward Rutledge

Movie: Despite being for Movie: Despite being for independence, Rutledge had to be independence, Rutledge had to be convinced, by removal of the slave convinced, by removal of the slave clause, to vote FOR the Declaration.clause, to vote FOR the Declaration.

Reality: Rutledge supported Reality: Rutledge supported independence from an early time and independence from an early time and actually convinced other South actually convinced other South Carolina delegates to vote for the Carolina delegates to vote for the Declaration. In other words, he did not Declaration. In other words, he did not just change his mind at the last minute just change his mind at the last minute while the vote was being taken.while the vote was being taken.

11. New York / Lewis Morris11. New York / Lewis Morris

Movie: New York ALWAYS abstrained, Movie: New York ALWAYS abstrained, courteously, during ALL votes but courteously, during ALL votes but Morris ends up signing the Declaration Morris ends up signing the Declaration anyway.anyway.

Reality: New York actually had the most Reality: New York actually had the most loyalists. The state legislature did not loyalists. The state legislature did not vote on independence until July 9, vote on independence until July 9, 1776. Lewis Morris was present at that 1776. Lewis Morris was present at that state legislative vote and NOT at the state legislative vote and NOT at the vote in Philadelphia. Morris did arrive vote in Philadelphia. Morris did arrive in Philadelphia later and did sign the in Philadelphia later and did sign the Declaration.Declaration.

12. James Wilson12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson12. James Wilson

Movie: Wilson is portrayed as a quiet man Movie: Wilson is portrayed as a quiet man who does not speak up for himself. He is who does not speak up for himself. He is bullied by John Dickinson and eventually is bullied by John Dickinson and eventually is THE deciding vote for Independence.THE deciding vote for Independence.

Reality: James Wilson was a very Reality: James Wilson was a very accomplished patriot who did want to be accomplished patriot who did want to be remembered. He was a signer of the remembered. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, helped create Declaration of Independence, helped create the U.S. Constitution, and served as a the U.S. Constitution, and served as a Supreme Court Justice. Not bad for a man Supreme Court Justice. Not bad for a man who stood in “John Dickinson’s shadow” all who stood in “John Dickinson’s shadow” all the time!the time!

Finally, Jefferson’s Declaration Finally, Jefferson’s Declaration HouseHouse

The Place where Jefferson wrote The Place where Jefferson wrote the Declaration…the Declaration…