John Adams' Letters to Abigail, Narrated by Sara Georgini

Dr. Sara Georgini is an American historian, author, and Series Editor for the ‘Papers of John Adams,’ at the Adams Papers Editorial Project at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Georgini shares how John Adams, writing to his wife Abigail in 1776, envisioned generations of Americans celebrating independence with pomp and parade—right about everything but the date.

You can see the Adamses’ revolutionary words on display right now in the “1776 Declaring Independence” exhibit, open and free at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Happy 2d of July!

250 to 250

From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. We will be telling their stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.”

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Notes

Unless otherwise noted, all images used in this video are in the public domain.

Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776

Original manuscript from the Adams Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.