July 4th 2010 at The National Archives complete ceremony

Maureen Bunyan: GOOD MORNING...
Crowd: GOOD MORNING.
Bunyan: AND WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES,
THIS WONDERFUL BUILDING.
MY NAME IS MAUREEN BUNYAN AND I AM FROM ABC TELEVISION NEWS
HERE IN WASHINGTON, ABC 7, AND IT’S MY GREAT PRIVILEGE
TO BE HERE AS YOUR HOST FOR THIS FABULOUS PROGRAM
ON THIS BEAUTIFUL FOURTH OF JULY.
WELCOME TO ALL OF OUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS.
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON AND WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU
WHO LIVE IN THE BEAUTIFUL WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
AS YOU MAY KNOW,
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IS THE PERMANENT HOME
OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, IT HAS HOSTED A PATRIOTIC CEREMONY
ON JULY 4 TO CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE.
THIS IS THE KICK-OFF EVENT FOR ALL OF THE PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES
IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL TODAY.
AFTER OUR CEREMONY, PLEASE STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE
TO ENJOY THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
DOWN CONSTITUTION AVENUE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
AND THIS EVENING,
THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY WILL PERFORM "A CAPITAL FOURTH,"
A LIVE CONCERT FROM THE U.S. CAPITOL,
FOLLOWED BY FIREWORKS ON THE NATIONAL MALL.
SO STAY AROUND, CELEBRATE, ENJOY OUR INDEPENDENCE.
NOW, I ASK YOU TO PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRESENTATION
OF THE COLORS BY THE THIRD UNITED STATES INFANTRY
OLD GUARD CONTINENTAL COLOR GUARD,
WITH EVAN HUGHES SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
[DRUMS BEATING]
[FIFES PLAYING]
[MUSIC STOPS] Man: PRESENT ARMS!
Evan Hughes: ♪ O, SAY, CAN YOU SEE
BY THE DAWN’S EARLY LIGHT
WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED
AT THE TWILIGHT’S LAST GLEAMING?
WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS
THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT
O’ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED
WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING?
AND THE ROCKETS’ RED GLARE
THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR
GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT
THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE
O, SAY, DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED
BANNER YET WAVE
O’ER THE LAND OF THE FREE
AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Second man: BEAUTIFUL, MR. HUGHES, BEAUTIFUL.
Third man: WELL DONE.
Bunyan: NOW, TO GIVE US A TASTE OF THE ATMOSPHERE
OF COLONIAL AMERICA, WE HAVE WITH US
THE UNITED STATES ARMY OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUMS.
THEIR UNIFORMS ARE FROM THE ERA OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
AND SO IS THEIR MUSIC.
IT’S MY GREAT PLEASURE
TO PRESENT SERGEANT FIRST CLASS RICHARD RUDDLE
TO NARRATE THEIR PERFORMANCE.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Richard Ruddle: GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
THE UNITED STATES ARMY MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON,
UNDER THE COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL KARL HORST,
IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE UNITED STATES ARMY
OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
THE THIRD UNITED STATES INFANTRY REGIMENT,
THE OLD GUARD TRACES ITS LINEAGE BACK
TO THE FIRST AMERICAN REGIMENT OF 1784
AND TODAY SERVES AS THE ARMY’S OFFICIAL ESCORT
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
IN 1960, THE FIFE AND DRUM CORPS WAS ORGANIZED
TO PARTICIPATE IN OFFICIAL CEREMONIES
AND TO REVIVE OUR COUNTRY’S MUSICAL HERITAGE.
AS ONE OF THE ARMY’S PREMIER MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS,
THE UNIT PERFORMS FOR VISITING DIGNITARIES
AND HEADS OF STATE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
AND THROUGHOUT OUR NATION’S CAPITAL.
IN ADDITION, THE CORPS TRAVELS EXTENSIVELY,
AVERAGING 500 PERFORMANCES ANNUALLY.
THIS YEAR, THE OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS
CELEBRATES ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY, MARKING 5 DECADES OF DEDICATION
AND COMMITMENT TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND THE NATION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING
THE UNITED STATES ARMY OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[DRUMS BEATING]
[BUGLES PLAYING]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
[FIFES PLAYING]
[BUGLES JOIN IN]
[MUSIC ENDS] Ruddle: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE UNITED STATES ARMY OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
FROM THE DAYS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
THROUGH THE 19th CENTURY,
ARMY FIELD MUSICIANS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE
IN MAINTAINING GOOD ORDER, DISCIPLINE, AND MORALE.
THE SOUNDS OF THE FIFE, BUGLE, AND DRUM SIGNAL TROOP MOVEMENTS
IN BATTLE AND REGULATED EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES IN CAMP.
THE SOLDIERS OF THE OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS
WEAR UNIFORMS PATTERNED AFTER THE MUSICIANS
OF GEORGE WASHINGTON’S CONTINENTAL ARMY.
IN ORDER TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED,
MILITARY MUSICIANS OF THE PERIOD WORE THE REVERSE COLORS
OF THE REGIMENT TO WHICH THEY WERE ASSIGNED.
IN 1784, INFANTRY SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST AMERICAN REGIMENT
WORE BLUE COATS WITH RED TRIM; THUS, THE MUSICIANS
OF THE TIME WORE RED COATS TRIMMED IN BLUE.
TRADITIONALLY, THE MOST SKILLED DRUMMER
WAS GIVEN THE TITLE OF DRUM MAJOR
AND WAS CHOSEN TO LEAD THE MUSICIANS.
THE DRUM MAJOR WHO STANDS BEFORE YOU TODAY
WEARS THE CUSTOMARY MARK OF THE DRUM MAJOR, THE BALDRIC,
HOLDING TWO DRUMSTICKS.
HE ALSO WEARS THE LIGHT INFANTRY CAP,
THE RED WAIST SASH, AND ISSUES SILENT COMMANDS
WITH AN ESPONTOON, AN 18th-CENTURY WEAPON.
LISTEN NOW AS THE CORPS FEATURES THE FIFE, BUGLE, AND DRUM,
BRINGING TO LIFE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
OF OUR COUNTRY’S MUSICAL HERITAGE.
[FIFES PLAYING]
[DRUMS BEATING]
[DRUMS STOP, FIFES CONTINUE]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[APPLAUSE]
[DRUMS BEATING]
[BUGLES PLAYING]
[MUSIC ENDS]
[APPLAUSE]
[DRUMS BEATING]
[FIFES PLAYING]
[FIFES STOP]
[DRUMS STOP]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Ruddle: MUCH LIKE TODAY,
FIELD MUSICIANS IN COLONIAL TIMES SOUNDED "REVEILLE"
AT DAYBREAK, SIGNALING TO THE CAMP TO RISE FOR THE DAY.
DURING THE 18th AND 19th CENTURIES,
"REVEILLE" WAS NOT JUST A SINGLE CALL,
BUT A SERIES OF TUNES PERFORMED IN A MILITARY MANNER.
THE OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS WILL NOW SALUTE YOU
WITH A MEDLEY OF "REVEILLE" MUSIC,
CONCLUDING WITH THEIR SIGNATURE MELODY, "YANKEE DOODLE."
[DRUMS BEATING]
[BUGLES PLAYING]
[BUGLES STOP]
[FIFES PLAYING]
[BUGLES JOIN IN]
[BUGLES STOP, FIFES CONTINUE]
[FIFES PLAYING "YANKEE DOODLE"]
[FIFES STOP]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Ruddle: ONCE AGAIN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THE UNITED STATES ARMY OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Ruddle: ON BEHALF OF THE OLD GUARD COMMANDER,
COLONEL DAVID ANDERS, AND THE FIFE AND DRUM CORPS COMMANDER,
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FREDERICK ELLWEIN,
IT HAS BEEN OUR PLEASURE PERFORMING FOR YOU TODAY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Bunyan: THANK YOU SO MUCH, SERGEANT RUDDLE,
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE OLD GUARD FIFE AND DRUM CORPS.
NOW, THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES WORKS EVERY DAY NOT ONLY
TO PRESERVE THE ACTUAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
BUT ALSO TO PRESERVE THE IDEALS IT DEFINES.
AS THE ARCHIVES CARES FOR THE RECORDS OF OUR DEMOCRACY
AND MAKES THEM ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC,
THEY ALSO HELP ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS
AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT
AS THE HALLMARK OF DEMOCRACY.
IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU
A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON-- THE PERSON TO WHOM OUR NATION
HAS ENTRUSTED THE CARE OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR 10 BILLION--
THAT’S "B," BILLION-- PAGES OF RECORDS
AND, ALONG WITH HIS STAFF, HE IS THE PERSON WHO DECIDES
WHICH OF THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOCUMENTS
THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PRODUCES ARE SAVED
AND BECOME PART OF THE WRITTEN RECORD OF OUR NATION’S HISTORY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE JOIN ME
IN WELCOMING MR. DAVID FERRIERO,
THE ARCHIVIST OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.
MR. FERRIERO.
[APPLAUSE]
David Ferriero: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME
TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TO HELP US CELEBRATE
THE 234th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
ADOPTED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
IT’S NICE TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU COMING TO DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON
TO OBSERVE THE NATION’S BIRTHDAY AND TO CELEBRATE IN A SETTING
LIKE NO OTHER IN AMERICA, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER CITY
LIKE THE CAPITAL OF THE GREAT NATION THAT CAME INTO BEING
THAT SUMMER OF 1776 IN PHILADELPHIA.
AS YOU ALL MAY KNOW, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
ACTUALLY DECLARED INDEPENDENCE FROM GREAT BRITAIN ON JULY 2nd,
BUT DIDN’T ADOPT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE UNTIL JULY 4th,
AND THAT HAS BECOME THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.
BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOME
OF THE SPECIAL FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WHO ARE WITH US THIS MORNING.
REPRESENTATIVE LACY CLAY OF MISSOURI;
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL TURNER OF OHIO;
AND REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LARSON FROM CONNECTICUT
ARE WITH US THIS MORNING.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
MANY MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES BOARD
ARE WITH US ALSO THIS MORNING, INCLUDING KEN LORE,
THE BOARD PRESIDENT, AND OUR FRIENDS
FROM JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES,
WHO HAVE GUARANTEED THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT FOR SO MANY YEARS.
AND FINALLY, MY THANKS TO THE 3,000 EMPLOYEES
OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN 44 FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY,
WHO EVERY DAY ENSURE THAT THE RECORDS OF OUR COUNTRY
ARE COLLECTED, PROTECTED, AND MADE AVAILABLE.
THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR ALL OF US AT THE ARCHIVES.
[APPLAUSE]
IN COMING TOGETHER EVERY FOURTH OF JULY,
WE CELEBRATE OUR DEMOCRACY AND HOW IT HAS SURVIVED ATTACKS BY
THE BRITISH, OUR OWN CIVIL WAR, THE WARS OF THE 20th CENTURY,
AND VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL CRISES OVER THE DECADES.
AND LIKE OUR DEMOCRACY, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
HAS HAD TO SURVIVE WARS AND CRISES,
AS WELL AS POOR TREATMENT AND CARELESS DISPLAY.
IT FIRST HAD TO SURVIVE THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS AT WORK DRAFTING THE DECLARATION
WELL BEFORE THE CONGRESS DECLARED INDEPENDENCE
ON JULY 2, 1776,
AND AFTER A FEW CHANGES BY JOHN ADAMS AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
THE DRAFT WENT TO THE DELEGATES.
THE CONGRESS BEGAN DEBATING THE DRAFT ON JULY 2.
THE DELEGATES CUT OUT ABOUT 1/4 OF WHAT JEFFERSON WROTE,
BUT RETAINED THE CENTRAL IDEAS.
FINALLY, ON JULY 4, IT WAS DONE.
CHEERS WENT UP AND CHURCH BELLS RANG OUT IN PHILADELPHIA.
SEVERAL WEEKS LATER,
CONGRESS ORDERED THE DECLARATION WRITTEN ON PARCHMENT,
AND ON AUGUST 2, MOST OF THE 56 FOUNDING FATHERS
REASSEMBLED AND SIGNED IT,
AND THAT IS THE DOCUMENT THAT SITS INSIDE THIS BUILDING.
THEN CAME THE DECLARATION’S LONG FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL.
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, THE ROLLED-UP DECLARATION MOVED
FROM CITY TO CITY, AS CONGRESS MOVED ITSELF
TO AVOID CAPTURE FROM THE BRITISH.
IN 1789, THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOOK CUSTODY
AS THE NATION BEGAN UNDER THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION,
BUT THE DECLARATION STILL MOVED AS THE CAPITAL MOVED
FROM PHILADELPHIA TO NEW YORK,
AND FINALLY TO THE NEW CITY OF WASHINGTON.
EACH TIME IT WAS USED, THEN MOVED,
IT WAS UNROLLED AND ROLLED UP AGAIN.
WHEN THE BRITISH CAME TO DESTROY WASHINGTON IN 1814,
THE STATE DEPARTMENT CLERKS HURRIEDLY WRAPPED SOME
OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MOST CHERISHED DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING THE DECLARATION, IN BAGS OF LINEN
FOR SAFEKEEPING OUTSIDE THE CITY.
FIRST THEY HID THEM IN AN UNUSED GRIST MILL
NEAR CHAIN BRIDGE IN VIRGINIA, THEN IN A PRIVATE HOME
IN LEESBURG UNTIL THE WAR WAS OVER.
BUT THE HANDS OF TIME WERE TAKING THEIR TOLL
ON THE DECLARATION AND IT WAS NOTICEABLE.
IN 1820, SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN QUINCY ADAMS ORDERED A MAN
NAMED WILLIAM STONE TO ENGRAVE A FACSIMILE OF THE DECLARATION.
PRINTS WERE MADE FROM IT.
THE ORIGINAL STONE ENGRAVING FROM 1823 AND A PRINT FROM IT
ARE ON PERMANENT DISPLAY INSIDE, A FEW STEPS FROM THE ROTUNDA
AT THE ENTRANCE TO OUR PUBLIC VAULTS.
THROUGHOUT THE 1880s, THE DECLARATION WAS ON EXHIBIT
FOR LONG PERIODS IN SEVERAL PLACES IN WASHINGTON.
IN EACH CASE, IT WAS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT,
FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURES, AND HUMIDITY,
ALL OF WHICH TOOK THEIR TOLL ON THE DOCUMENT.
FINALLY, OFFICIALS TOOK NOTE OF THE EFFECTS OF THE AGING
AND CAREFULLY WRAPPED THE DECLARATION AND STORED IT FLAT
AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, WHERE IT JOINED THE CONSTITUTION.
BUT IN 1921, PRESIDENT HARDING SIGNED AN ORDER
TRANSFERRING BOTH DOCUMENTS TO THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
THERE, THEY WENT ON DISPLAY AGAIN,
SUBJECTING THE DECLARATION TO MORE LIGHT AND HUMIDITY.
EVEN BEFORE THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES BUILDING
WAS CONSTRUCTED, MANY PEOPLE BELIEVED
THAT THE DECLARATION BELONGED HERE,
WHERE THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS SCHEDULED TO BE DISPLAYED.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND THE FIRST ARCHIVIST
OF THE UNITED STATES, ROBERT CONNOR, HAD AGREED
THE DECLARATION AND CONSTITUTION BELONGED IN THE ARCHIVES.
SUCH A MOVE, HOWEVER, WAS STRONGLY OPPOSED
BY THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, WORLD WAR II INTERCEDED,
AND JUST BEFORE PEARL HARBOR, THE LIBRARY SENT THE DECLARATION
AND CONSTITUTION TO FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, FOR SAFEKEEPING
ALONGSIDE OUR NATION’S GOLD BULLION.
THE DOCUMENTS REMAINED THERE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1944,
WHEN THEY WERE RETURNED TO THEIR PERMANENT DISPLAY
IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
AND FINALLY, IN 1952, ARCHIVIST WAYNE GROVER
AND THE NEW LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, LUTHER EVANS,
AGREED THAT THE DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE IN THE ARCHIVES,
AND PLANS WERE MADE FOR THEIR TRANSFER.
AND IN DECEMBER ’52, WITH GREAT CEREMONY AND HEAVY GUARDS,
THE TWO NEWLY ENCASED DOCUMENTS WERE CARRIED UP THE STEPS,
THESE VERY STEPS, INTO THE ROTUNDA.
AND THEY REMAINED IN THE ROTUNDA UNTIL 2001,
WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED BY OUR CONSERVATION STAFF
TO PERFORM LONG-PLANNED, CAREFUL CONSERVATION TREATMENT
ON THEM AND PREPARED THEM FOR THEIR RETURN TO THE ROTUNDA
IN SEPTEMBER 2003 IN THEIR NEW, STATE-OF-THE-ART ENCASEMENTS.
AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SAFE
FOR A YEAR, UNTIL 2004,
WHEN THE GOOD TREASURE HUNTER NICOLAS CAGE...
[LAUGHTER]
CLEVERLY STOLE IT DURING A PARTY IN THIS BUILDING.
STOLE IT TO PROTECT IT FROM AN EVIL TREASURE HUNTER.
OUR NATIONAL TREASURE WAS MIRACULOUSLY
AND CIRCUITOUSLY RESTORED TO ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Ferriero: AND NOW POSES THE MOST OFTEN-ASKED QUESTION
IN THE ROTUNDA: "CAN WE SEE THE MAP ON THE BACK?"
[LAUGHTER]
I CAN TELL YOU FOR CERTAIN THAT THE ONLY THING
ON THE BACK OF THE DECLARATION ARE THE WORDS
"ORIGINAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
DATED FOURTH, JULY 1776"--NOTHING MORE.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
THERE IS A MYSTERY, HOWEVER, ON THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT.
THE LOWER LEFT-HAND CORNER HAS A DISTINCT HANDPRINT;
WHOSE WE DO NOT KNOW, BUT WE’RE LOOKING FOR EARLY,
VERY EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS TO AT LEAST DETERMINE
WHEN IT FIRST APPEARED.
SO SPREAD THE WORD AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP US.
AND THE DECLARATION HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN IN THE DIGITAL AGE.
JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE ONLINE MAGAZINE "SLATE"
JOINED FORCES WITH TWITTER TO HOST A CONTEST TO REDUCE
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO A SINGLE TWEET.
[LAUGHTER]
THAT MEANT REDUCING ITS 8,000 OR SO CHARACTERS
TO ONLY 124, AND HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE ENTRIES:
"YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED. WE’RE OUT OF HERE. THANKS. BYE."
[LAUGHTER]
"DON’T TAX ME, BRO."
[LAUGHTER]
"HEY, KING GEORGE, THIS BEING YOUR COLONY
ISN’T WORKING FOR US, SO GET LOST."
[LAUGHTER]
"IT’S THE TAXES, STUPID."
[LAUGHTER]
AND MY FAVORITE: "WE ARE UPDATING TO USA 1.0.
"ALL TAXES, TEA, SOLDIERS PREVIOUSLY COMPATIBLE
WITH ENGLISH 2.0 WILL NOT WORK WITH USA 1.0."
[LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]
ALL ABOUT AS FAR FROM JEFFERSON’S ELEGANT PROSE
AS YOU CAN GET, BUT THE IDEA AND THE ESSENCE
OF THE DECLARATION REMAINS, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL,
THAT GOVERNMENTS DERIVE THEIR POWERS FROM THE CONSENT
OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND--FROM THE GOVERNED,
AND THAT EVERYONE IS BORN WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS,
SUCH AS LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
EVEN A TWEET SUCH AS "YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME"
RETAINS THE ESSENCE OF JEFFERSON’S MESSAGE,
IF NOT HIS MANNER OF DELIVERING IT.
234 YEARS LATER, THE PARCHMENT IS FADED,
BUT THE SPIRIT OF THE DECLARATION HAS NOT WANED.
IT LIVES ON IN OUR DAILY LIVES.
TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS
WILL BE CELEBRATING THE FOURTH IN PARADES
AND PATRIOTIC GATHERINGS ALL OVER THE NATION,
JUST AS WE ARE CELEBRATING ALONG THE NATIONAL MALL.
THE MESSAGE OF THE DECLARATION STILL MOVES US
AND ITS WORDS HELP UNITE US AS A PEOPLE ON THIS,
ITS 234th BIRTHDAY.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY
AND HELPING US FULFILL JOHN ADAMS’ PREDICTION
THAT THIS DAY "BE SOLEMNIZED WITH POMP AND PARADE,
"WITH SHOWS, GAMES, SPORTS, GUNS, BELLS,
"AND BONFIRES AND ILLUMINATIONS FROM ONE END OF THIS CONTINENT
TO THE OTHER FROM THIS TIME FORWARD FOREVERMORE."
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Second man: WELL DONE! WELL DONE!
Third man: WELL DONE.
Bunyan: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. FERRIERO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NOW, LET US LISTEN TO THOSE IMMORTAL WORDS OF LIBERTY
AS WE READ ALOUD THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
AND FOR THAT, I’M HAPPY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A VERY
DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WILL READ THE DECLARATION.
FIRST, WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE WITH US TODAY
TWO SPECIAL GUESTS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THEM
TO PLEASE STAND AND WAVE WHEN I CALL THEIR NAMES.
CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM LACY CLAY,
FIRST ELECTED TO THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
IN THE YEAR 2000.
ALSO, JULIE HARRIS, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
AT CHAVEZ PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
NEXT, TO READ THE GRIEVANCES AGAINST KING GEORGE III--
THE GUY WHO WASN’T THE BOSS OF US ANYMORE--
WE HAVE 3 OF THE LEADERS OF THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS:
MR. THOMAS JEFFERSON,
MR. JOHN ADAMS,
AND DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Bunyan: THESE 3 GENTLEMEN KNOW THE WORDS OF THE DECLARATION
BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE
BECAUSE MR. JEFFERSON WROTE THE FIRST DRAFT,
MR. ADAMS AND DR. FRANKLIN MADE CHANGES TO IT.
AND FINALLY, TO READ THE NAMES
OF THE 56 SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION,
WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE WITH US PRIVATE EDWARD "NED" HECTOR,
A FREE BLACK COLONIAL SOLDIER, RESPECTED PATRIOT,
AND HERO OF THE THIRD PENNSYLVANIA ARTILLERY COMPANY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: HUZZAH!
Bunyan: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
William Lacy Clay: "IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776,
"THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE 13 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"WHEN, IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS,
"IT BECOMES NECESSARY FOR ONE PEOPLE TO DISSOLVE
"THE POLITICAL BANDS WHICH HAVE CONNECTED THEM WITH ANOTHER
"AND TO ASSUME AMONG THE POWERS OF THE EARTH
"THE SEPARATE AND EQUAL STATION TO WHICH THE LAWS OF NATURE
"AND OF NATURE’S GOD ENTITLED HIM,
"A DECENT RESPECT TO THE OPINIONS OF MANKIND REQUIRES
"THAT THEY SHOULD DECLARE THE CAUSES
WHICH IMPEL THEM TO THE SEPARATION."
Julie Harris: "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT
"THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL,
"THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR
"WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS,
"THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY,
"AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS,
"THAT TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS, GOVERNMENTS ARE INSTITUTED
"AMONG MEN DERIVING THEIR JUST POWERS
"FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED,
"THAT WHENEVER ANY FORM OF GOVERNMENT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE
"OF THESE ENDS, IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE
"TO ALTER OR ABOLISH IT AND TO INSTITUTE NEW GOVERNMENT,
"LAYING ITS FOUNDATIONS ON SUCH PRINCIPLES
"AND ORGANIZING ITS POWERS IN SUCH FORM
"AS TO THEM SHALL SEEM MOST LIKELY
TO EFFECT THEIR SAFETY AND HAPPINESS."
Clay: "PRUDENCE, INDEED, WILL DICTATE
"THAT GOVERNMENTS LONG ESTABLISHED SHOULD NOT
"BE CHANGED FOR LIGHT AND TRANSIENT CAUSES;
"AND ACCORDINGLY ALL EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN
"THAT MANKIND ARE MORE DISPOSED TO SUFFER
"WHILE EVILS ARE SUFFERABLE THAN TO RIGHT THEMSELVES
"BY ABOLISHING THE FORMS TO WHICH THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED.
"BUT WHEN A LONG TRAIN OF ABUSES AND USURPATIONS,
"PURSUING INVARIABLY THE SAME OBJECT EVINCES A DESIGN
"TO REDUCE THEM UNDER ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM,
"IT IS THEIR RIGHT, IT IS THEIR DUTY
"TO THROW OFF SUCH GOVERNMENT
AND TO PROVIDE NEW GUARDS FOR THEIR FUTURE SECURITY."
Harris: "SUCH HAS BEEN THE PATIENT SUFFERANCE
"OF THESE COLONIES; AND SUCH IS NOW THE NECESSITY
"WHICH CONSTRAINS THEM TO ALTER
"THEIR FORMER SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.
"THE HISTORY OF THE PRESENT KING OF GREAT BRITAIN IS A HISTORY
"OF REPEATED INJURIES AND USURPATIONS,
"ALL HAVING IN DIRECT OBJECT THE ESTABLISHMENT
"OF AN ABSOLUTE TYRANNY OVER THESE STATES.
TO PROVE THIS, LET FACTS BE SUBMITTED TO A CANDID WORLD."
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man as Thomas Jefferson: "HE HAS REFUSED HIS ASSENT TO LAWS,
THE MOST WHOLESOME AND NECESSARY FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD."
Man as Benjamin Franklin: "HE HAS FORBIDDEN HIS GOVERNORS
"TO PASS LAWS OF IMMEDIATE AND PRESSING IMPORTANCE,
"UNLESS SUSPENDED IN THEIR OPERATION
"TILL HIS ASSENT SHOULD BE OBTAINED; AND WHEN SO SUSPENDED,
HE HAS UTTERLY NEGLECTED TO ATTEND TO THEM."
Man as John Adams: "HE HAS REFUSED TO PASS OTHER LAWS
"FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF LARGE DISTRICTS OF PEOPLE,
"UNLESS THOSE PEOPLE WOULD RELINQUISH THE RIGHT
"OF REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATURE,
A RIGHT INESTIMABLE TO THEM AND FORMIDABLE TO TYRANTS ONLY."
Crowd: NO! NO! NO!
Jefferson: "HE HAS CALLED TOGETHER LEGISLATIVE BODIES
"AT PLACES UNUSUAL, UNCOMFORTABLE, AND DISTANT
"FROM THE DEPOSITORY OF THEIR PUBLIC RECORDS,
"FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF FATIGUING THEM
INTO COMPLIANCE WITH HIS MEASURES."
Franklin: "HE HAS DISSOLVED REPRESENTATIVE HOUSES
"REPEATEDLY, FOR OPPOSING WITH MANLY FIRMNESS
HIS INVASIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE."
Adams: "HE HAS REFUSED FOR A LONG TIME,
"AFTER SUCH DISSOLUTIONS, TO CAUSE OTHERS TO BE ELECTED,
"WHEREBY THE LEGISLATIVE POWERS, INCAPABLE OF ANNIHILATION,
"HAVE RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE AT LARGE FOR THEIR EXERCISE;
"THE STATE REMAINING IN THE MEANTIME EXPOSED
"TO ALL THE DANGERS OF INVASION FROM WITHOUT
AND CONVULSIONS WITHIN."
Crowd: NO! NO!
Jefferson: "HE HAS ENDEAVOURED TO PREVENT THE POPULATION
"OF THESE STATES; FOR THAT PURPOSE OBSTRUCTING THE LAWS
"FOR NATURALIZATION OF FOREIGNERS; REFUSING
"TO PASS OTHERS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR MIGRATIONS HITHER
AND RAISING THE CONDITIONS OF NEW APPROPRIATIONS OF LANDS."
Franklin: "HE HAS OBSTRUCTED THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BY
REFUSING HIS ASSENT TO LAWS FOR ESTABLISHING JUDICIARY POWERS."
Adams: "HE HAS MADE JUDGES DEPENDENT ON HIS WILL ALONE
"FOR THE TENURE OF THEIR OFFICES,
AND THE AMOUNT AND PAYMENT OF THEIR SALARIES."
Jefferson: "HE HAS ERECTED A MULTITUDE OF NEW OFFICES
"AND SENT HITHER SWARMS OF OFFICERS
TO HARASS OUR PEOPLE AND EAT OUT THEIR SUBSTANCE."
Crowd: NO! NO!
Franklin: "HE HAS KEPT AMONG US, IN TIMES OF PEACE,
STANDING ARMIES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF OUR LEGISLATURES."
Crowd: NO! NO!
Adams: "HE HAS AFFECTED TO RENDER THE MILITARY
INDEPENDENT OF AND SUPERIOR TO THE CIVIL POWER."
Crowd: NO! NO!
Jefferson: "HE HAS COMBINED WITH OTHERS TO SUBJECT US
"TO A JURISDICTION FOREIGN TO OUR CONSTITUTION
"AND UNACKNOWLEDGED BY OUR LAWS;
"GIVING HIS ASSENT TO THEIR ACTS OF PRETENDED LEGISLATION:
"FOR QUARTERING LARGE BODIES OF ARMED TROOPS AMONG US;
"FOR PROTECTING THEM BY A MOCK TRIAL FROM PUNISHMENT
"FOR ANY MURDERS WHICH THEY SHOULD COMMIT
"ON THE INHABITANTS OF THESE STATES;
"FOR CUTTING OFF OUR TRADE WITH ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD;
"FOR IMPOSING TAXES ON US WITHOUT OUR CONSENT..."
Crowd: NO!
"FOR DEPRIVING US IN MANY CASES
"OF THE BENEFITS OF TRIAL BY JURY;
"FOR TRANSPORTING US BEYOND SEAS TO BE TRIED
"FOR PRETENDED OFFENCES; FOR ABOLISHING THE FREE SYSTEM
"OF ENGLISH LAWS IN A NEIGHBOURING PROVINCE,
"ESTABLISHING THEREIN AN ARBITRARY GOVERNMENT
"AND ENLARGING ITS BOUNDARIES SO AS TO RENDER IT AT ONCE
"AN EXAMPLE AND FIT INSTRUMENT FOR INTRODUCING
"THE SAME ABSOLUTE RULE INTO THESE COLONIES;
"FOR TAKING AWAY OUR CHARTERS,
"ABOLISHING OUR MOST VALUABLE LAWS AND ALTERING FUNDAMENTALLY
"THE FORMS OF OUR GOVERNMENTS;
"FOR SUSPENDING OUR OWN LEGISLATURES
"AND DECLARING THEMSELVES INVESTED WITH THE POWER
TO LEGISLATE FOR US IN ALL CASES WHATSOEVER."
Crowd: NO!
Franklin: "HE HAS ABDICATED GOVERNMENT HERE BY DECLARING US
OUT OF HIS PROTECTION AND WAGING WAR AGAINST US."
Adams: "HE HAS PLUNDERED OUR SEAS, RAVAGED OUR COASTS,
BURNT OUR TOWNS, AND DESTROYED THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE."
Man: DOWN WITH THE TYRANT!
Jefferson: "HE IS AT THIS TIME TRANSPORTING LARGE ARMIES
"OF FOREIGN MERCENARIES TO COMPLEAT THE WORKS OF DEATH,
"DESOLATION, AND TYRANNY ALREADY BEGUN WITH CIRCUMSTANCES
"SCARCELY PARALLELED IN THE MOST BARBAROUS OF AGES
AND TOTALLY UNWORTHY THE HEAD OF A CIVILIZED NATION."
[CROWD MURMURS]
Franklin: "HE HAS CONSTRAINED OUR FELLOW CITIZENS
"TAKEN CAPTIVE ON THE HIGH SEAS
"TO BEAR ARMS AGAINST THEIR COUNTRY,
"TO BECOME THE EXECUTIONERS OF THEIR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN
"OR TO FALL THEMSELVES BY THEIR HANDS."
Adams: "HE HAS EXCITED DOMESTIC INSURRECTIONS AMONGST US
"AND HAS ENDEAVOURED TO BRING ON THE INHABITANTS
"OF OUR FRONTIERS, THE MERCILESS INDIAN SAVAGES
"WHOSE KNOWN RULE OF WARFARE IS AN UNDISTINGUISHED DESTRUCTION
OF ALL AGES, SEXES, AND CONDITIONS."
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Clay: THANK YOU.
"IN EVERY STAGE OF THESE OPPRESSIONS WE HAVE PETITIONED
"FOR REDRESS IN THE MOST HUMBLE TERMS:
"OUR REPEATED PETITIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED
"ONLY BY REPEATED INJURY.
"A PRINCE WHOSE CHARACTER IS THUS MARKED BY EVERY ACT
"WHICH MAY DEFINE A TYRANT IS UNFIT
TO BE THE RULER OF A FREE PEOPLE."
Harris: "NOR HAVE WE BEEN WANTING IN ATTENTIONS
"TO OUR BRITISH BRETHREN.
"WE HAVE WARNED THEM FROM TIME TO TIME
"OF ATTEMPTS BY THEIR LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND
"AN UNWARRANTABLE JURISDICTION OVER US.
"WE HAVE REMINDED THEM OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES
"OF OUR EMIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT HERE.
"WE HAVE APPEALED TO THEIR NATIVE JUSTICE
"AND MAGNANIMITY, AND WE HAVE CONJURED THEM BY THE TIES
"OF OUR COMMON KINDRED TO DISAVOW THESE USURPATIONS,
"WHICH WOULD INEVITABLY INTERRUPT
"OUR CONNECTIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
"THEY TOO HAVE BEEN DEAF TO THE VOICE
"OF JUSTICE AND CONSANGUINITY.
"WE MUST, THEREFORE, ACQUIESCE IN THE NECESSITY
"WHICH DENOUNCES OUR SEPARATION
"AND HOLD THEM AS WE HOLD THE REST OF MANKIND,
ENEMIES IN WAR, IN PEACE FRIENDS."
Clay: "WE, THEREFORE, THE REPRESENTATIVES
"OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
"IN GENERAL CONGRESS, ASSEMBLED,
"APPEALING TO THE SUPREME JUDGE OF THE WORLD
"FOR THE RECTITUDE OF OUR INTENTIONS,
"DO IN THE NAME AND BY AUTHORITY
"OF THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THESE COLONIES
"SOLEMNLY PUBLISH AND DECLARE
"THAT THE UNITED COLONIES ARE AND OF RIGHT
OUGHT TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES..."
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
"THAT THEY ARE ABSOLVED FROM ALL ALLEGIANCE TO THE BRITISH CROWN,
"AND THAT ALL POLITICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM AND THE
"STATE OF GREAT BRITAIN IS AND OUGHT TO BE TOTALLY DISSOLVED;
"AND THAT AS FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES,
"THEY HAVE FULL POWER TO LEVY WAR, CONCLUDE PEACE,
"CONTRACT ALLIANCES, ESTABLISH COMMERCE, AND TO DO
"ALL OTHER ACTS AND THINGS WHICH INDEPENDENT STATES MAY
OF RIGHT DO."
Harris: "AND FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS DECLARATION,
"WITH A FIRM RELIANCE ON THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE,
"WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE TO EACH OTHER OUR LIVES,
OUR FORTUNES, AND OUR SACRED HONOR."
Men: HUZZAH! HUZZAH! HUZZAH!
Harris: HUZZAH! Clay: YEAH!
Harris: HUZZAH! Man: WELL DONE, SIR, WELL DONE.
Bunyan: THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM LACY CLAY,
JULIE HARRIS, MR. JEFFERSON, MR. ADAMS, AND DR. FRANKLIN.
IT IS STIRRING TO HEAR THOSE WORDS
JUST AS THEY WERE WRITTEN 234 YEARS AGO.
IT’S MY PLEASURE NOW TO INVITE PRIVATE HECTOR
TO READ THE NAMES OF THE COLONIES
AND THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION.
NOW, IN COLONIAL TIMES, IT WAS CUSTOMARY
TO SHOW ONE’S APPROVAL BY BOLDLY SHOUTING, "HUZZAH!"
Crowd: HUZZAH!
Bunyan: SO, AFTER PRIVATE HECTOR READS ALL OF THE NAMES
OF THE SIGNERS, WE HAVE TO SHOW OUR APPROVAL BY SHOUTING...
Crowd: HUZZAH!
Bunyan: LET’S TRY IT ONE MORE TIME. 1, 2, 3.
HUZZAH!
UM...I THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT AGAIN
BECAUSE SOME OF YOU AREN’T SHOWING ENOUGH ENTHUSIASM,
AND YOU MIGHT BE PUT ON THE BOATS BACK TO ENGLAND
IF YOU DON’T DO ANY BETTER, SO LET’S GET A LITTLE MORE ENERGY.
WE WANT TO HEAR "HUZZAH" HEARD
ALL ACROSS THE WASHINGTON AREA.
1, 2, 3!
All: HUZZAH!
Bunyan: ALL RIGHT. THAT’S MORE LIKE IT.
HA HA HA! NOW, PRIVATE HECTOR IS GOING TO READ THE NAMES
OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
PLEASE, NO "HUZZAHS" WHILE HE’S READING.
LET’S SAVE IT ALL UP FOR THE LAST BIG HUZZAH
AS HE FINISHES READING THE NAMES FROM EACH STATE.
PRIVATE HECTOR.
[APPLAUSE]
Private Edward "Ned" Hector: FIRST...
THE HONORABLE JOHN HANCOCK OF MASSACHUSETTS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
Woman: HUZZAH!
[LAUGHTER]
Hector: I APPRECIATE YOUR ENTHUSIASM.
CHARLES THOMPSON OF PENNSYLVANIA, HIS SECRETARY.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: JOSIAH BARTLETT,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE, MATTHEW THORNTON.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY:
SAMUEL ADAMS, JOHN ADAMS,
ROBERT TREAT PAINE,
ELBRIDGE GERRY.
RHODE ISLAND:
STEPHEN HOPKINS,
WILLIAM ELLERY.
CONNECTICUT...
[SCATTERED CHEERS]
ROGER SHERMAN,
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON,
WILLIAM WILLIAMS,
OLIVER WOLCOTT.
GEORGIA:
BUTTON GWINNETT,
LYMAN HALL,
GEORGE WALTON.
MARYLAND...
[SCATTERED CHEERS]
SAMUEL CHASE,
WILLIAM PACA, THOMAS STONE,
CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON.
VIRGINIA...
[SCATTERED CHEERS]
GEORGE WYTHE,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
[SCATTERED CHEERS]
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
THOMAS NELSON, JR.,
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE,
CARTER BRAXTON.
NEW YORK:
WILLIAM FLOYD,
PHILIP LIVINGSTON,
FRANCIS LEWIS, LEWIS MORRIS.
PENNSYLVANIA:
ROBERT MORRIS,
BENJAMIN RUSH,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN...
[SCATTERED CHEERS]
JOHN MORTON,
GEORGE CLYMER,
JAMES SMITH,
GEORGE TAYLOR,
JAMES WILSON,
GEORGE ROSS.
DELAWARE:
CAESAR RODNEY,
GEORGE READ,
THOMAS McKEAN.
NORTH CAROLINA:
WILLIAM HOOPER,
JOSEPH HEWES, AND JOHN PENN.
SOUTH CAROLINA:
EDWARD RUTLEDGE,
THOMAS HEYWARD, JR.,
THOMAS LYNCH, JR.,
ARTHUR MIDDLETON.
NEW JERSEY:
RICHARD STOCKTON,
JOHN WITHERSPOON,
FRANCIS HOPKINSON,
JOHN HART,
AND ABRAHAM CLARK.
AND TO THIS, THE PEOPLE SAY...
All: "HUZZAH!"
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Man: WELL DONE, SIR, WELL DONE.
[DRUM BEATING]
Bunyan: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PRIVATE HECTOR.
DID YOU LIKE SAYING, "HUZZAH"?
FEELS SO GOOD, DOESN’T IT? YOU WANT TO DO IT ONE MORE TIME?
ALL RIGHT. 1, 2, 3.
HUZZAH!
FABULOUS. THANK YOU.
I THINK THEY COULD HEAR YOU ALL THE WAY BACK TO ENGLAND.
[CROWD CHEERING]
[DRUM BEATING]
[DISTANT PARADE MUSIC PLAYING]
Man: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
Second man: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA.