>> ladies and gentlemen, please recognize the color guards from each of the original 13 states as they are introduced in the order in which each state ratified the u.s. constitution and entered the union. delaware. first delaware regiment. [applause] pennsylvania. first troop philadelphia city cavalry. [applause] new jersey. old barracks museum. [applause] georgia. sons of the revolution in the state of georgia. [applause] connecticut. the governor's foot and horse guard. massachusetts. 54th massachusetts volunteer regiment. [applause] maryland. maryland society sons of the american revolution. [applause] south carolina. south carolina national guard. [applause] new hampshire. first new hampshire regiment. [applause] virginia. the virginia military institute regimental color guard. [applause] new york. ninth new york field artillery, veteran core -- veteran corps artillery of the state of new york. [applause] north carolina. the over mountain men. [applause] rhode island. united train of artillery. [applause] and presenting the flag of the united states, the color guard of the third u.s. infantry regiment, known as the old guard. [applause] ♪ trumpet playing] [applause] >> members of our audience, would you please rise for "the national anthem," performed by curtis institute of music student jamez mccorkle. mr. mccorkle: ♪ o, say, can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed gleaming light's last 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 brave ♪ me of the [applause] >> please be seated as the colors are retired. welcome the president and ceo of the museum of the american revolution, michael quinn. [applause] thank you so much. our deepest thanks to the color guards of the original 13 states and to the color guard of the third u.s. infantry regiment, the old guard, as well as to the curtis institute of music. what a wonderful start to a very momentous opening. [applause] this is the third part of our opening celebration. our program began this morning at the tomb of the unknown soldier of the american revolution in washington square, where we honored those who sacrificed their lives to create our nation. our program continued in front of independence hall where we celebrated the future of that nation, and the youth who are the legacy of the great ideals founded at that time. now, we are at the museum of the american revolutions. we are celebrating, not just the opening of the museum, but the people and the ideas of the revolution and the great , landmarks and the history of philadelphia. and we are grateful to the many faith leaders, the students, and the others, who made this day possible. the museum we open today tells the story of the creation of the american nation. how people from all walks of life found a bond in the soaring ideals of equality, freedom, and self-governance, who consecrated that bond by their courage and sacrifice through eight years of warfare. that bond is what turned them into the unified people of one nation, and has done so for every center ration -- has done so for every generation since. this museum celebrates and belongs to the american people. there are many distinguished speakers with us on this joyful day, and we will introduce them as they speak. we are grateful for their enthusiasm and their support, and we are pleased to welcome many additional special guests. the governor of the commonwealth of virginia, terry mcauliffe, the lieutenant governor of north carolina, dan forest, the lieutenant governor of rhode island, dan mckee, the former governor of delaware, michael castle, the former governor of new jersey, james florio, the former governor of maryland martin o'malley, and the former , governor of pennsylvania and our great city of philadelphia, edward rendell. thank you for speaking at independence hall. [applause] mr. quinn: i'm also pleased to recognize congressman kyle rarity for joining us and members of the city council of philadelphia, mark squil will, lessry russell wednesdayer and is her relevant parker. thank you. [applause] mr. quinn: we are joined by our great partner, the superintendent of independence national historical park cynthia , mcleod. [applause] mr. quinn: it is such a privilege when the architect of this great landmark new building, robert a. stern and his associates join us. , we're delighted you came. [applause] mr. quinn: and we are also joined by the founder of intech construction who built this museum on time and on budget, will schwartz a new member of , the board of the museum of the american revolution. [applause] mr. quinn: we have guests from many places, and we are so honored that leaders of museums and cultural institutions from across philadelphia are with us today. you are too numerous to support so raise your hands so that everyone knows you are here. thank you for turning out and joining us, and walking mass -- and welcoming us as we proudly , join your ranks as one of the great cultural institutions of this city. we're also joined by people from many other institutions, but probably no one has come further , or is more special to us than ellen chictans and her family from china and japan, the donors who have donated the two wonderful bronze sculptural panels on the chestnut street side of the museum depicting washington crossing the delaware and the declaration of , independence. thank you so much. [applause] mr. quinn: there are leaders from many distinguished institutions from across the nation today, and i'm delighted to recognize some of them. steve rockwood, ceo of family search international from salt lake city, utah. louise mir, president and ceo of the new york historical society. jack dwayne warren, executive director of the cincinnati historic society. john bray, director of the smithsonian national museum of american history. anne turner dylan, president general of the national society daughters of the american revolution. james vaughan, executive director of the pennsylvania historical and museum commission. stephanie stetbic, director of the smithsonian american history, american art museum, robb shink, vice president of george washington's mount vernon. ruth taylor, executive director of the newport historical society. catherine robinson, president and ceo of historic charleston foundation. david roselle, executive museumr of winator guarded and library. the hill, director and ceo of fort ticonderoga in new york, and betty jo of the delaware tribe of indians. [applause] mr. quinn: and now, i would like to introduce the members of the board of directors of the museum of the american revolution. will you raise your hands so everyone knows where you are and that you are here today? [applause] mr. quinn: these are the volunteers who have guided and sustained the multi-year initiative to create the museum. and now it is a very great , pleasure to welcome the mayor of the great city of philadelphia, mayor jim kenney. [applause] mayor kenney: good morning, everyone. i can't tell you how proud i am as a native, lifelong philadelphiian to be standing here in front of this building , and in front of all the great dignitaries that have come here today. i am just personally very much honored. it's fantastic to see so many of you out there helping us open this new edition to our city's already thriving historic district. those looking to find out more about the founding of their country have already made philadelphia a priority. the museum will bring those people back while giving those who haven't yet made the trip more incentive to do so. , philadelphia is named the world heritage city because it served as the backdrop for the formation of our country. this museum will provide greater insight into the sacrifices that were made in order to make the ideas that were first discussed in independence hall a reality. this museum will provide us with a much deeper appreciation of what it means to live free. and i think the most important part of this museum for me as i have gone through it, is that it acknowledges fully and totally the contributions of other folks who made this country great -- african-americans, native americans, women, and all others , besides those who signed the declaration of independence. without all of them, this would never have happened, and they are finally and fully acknowledged in this space and i think that's wonderful. [applause] mayor kenney: and gerry lenfest, you're a great philadelphiian and a great american and i'm , honored to know you. thank you very much and i'm glad to see you here today. thank you very much, everyone. [applause] >> thank you. please welcome the governor of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, tom wolf. [applause] governor wolf: thank you very much. mayor kenney, thank you for your comments. and it's great to be here and i want to welcome all of you who are from out of town to pennsylvania. i just want to point out that the weather is always like this in pennsylvania. [laughter] governor wolf: again, i want to thank all of our distinguished guests for being here today, but i especially want to welcome vice president joe biden. [applause] governor wolf: vice president, we are truly honored to have you here today. since you begin your career you , have stood up for the middle class, for working people, for interestsand for the of the less fortunate and everywhere. your time in the senate and in the white house have made this country better and i just want to welcome you back home to pennsylvania. [applause] governor wolf: i'm proud to be here to help commemorate the opening of the new museum, this museum of the american revolution that will act as a monument to the lives of those who created this great nation. there is no better home for this museum than in philadelphia, than in pennsylvania, am i right? [applause] governor wolf: because this museum tells the story of the women and the men who created this nation right here in philadelphia where this nation began. located with only -- within only a few blocks of the museum are a number of historic treasures that tell the story of how a loose band of colonials toppled a mighty empire and led the -- empire and created a nation that has led the world for two centuries. from independence hall to the site of the liberty bell to the president's house, to congress hall, to the tomb of the unknown revolutionary war soldier -- all around us are reminders of the struggle that our founders undertook to create a nation dedicated to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. and now, we have a museum solely dedicated, for the first time, to the lives and the sacrifice of those early americans who for far too long have gone nameless and uncommemorated. those who fought and struggled ultimately won our independence and deserve our respect. only a couple blocks away emblazoned on the tomb of the unknown soldier of the revolutionary war are the words "freedom is a light for which many men and women have died in darkness." this museum will aim to turn the light on and tell the stories of those real women and men and , for people all over the world who have made this country what it is and who shocked the world 240 years ago by doing the impossible by defeating the mighty empire. i can't think of a more fitting tribute to their memories and , i'm glad pennsylvania will play home to this new treasure. i want to thank all of those who came together to make this project a success, and i want to thank michael quinn, who has been up here. can we just give around applause to michael quinn? [applause] governor wolf: michael will lead this museum to great success right here in philadelphia. so again thank you all for being , here, thank you for helping us celebrate this great moment in american history. thank you. [applause] >> please welcome noted author and two-time recipient of the pulitzer prize, david mccullough. [applause] mr. mccullough: what a morning. what a morning to be grateful we are americans. [applause] mr. mccullough: what a morning to celebrate our past and what that teaches us about how we should move forward into the days to come. the american revolution still goes on. the american revolution was one of the most important events of all time, and very much of it happened right here in this great, storied, city. it is not easy to understand the thing, nose, for one one ever lived in the past. they lived in the present, but it was their present, not ours. and we have to not only understand who they were, what they set out to achieve, how successful they may have been, but we have to understand the time in which they lived. we have to not only understand what they wrote, but what they read. because if we don't understand what they read, we won't understand why they said or wrote what they did. they were real people. history is human. when in the course of human events, "human" is the operative word. we can learn more from history than any other subject because it is about the human experience. and we can learn more about our country, our people, our past, our heart and soul as a civilization by knowing more about the american revolution. we can never, ever know enough about the american revolution. and the opening of this magnificent museum is not just a moment to celebrate here in philadelphia, but all over our country. this is a moment of national importance and cause to celebrate. [applause] mr. mccullough: one of the easiest, most obvious lessons of history is almost nothing of consequence that has never been accomplished alone. it is a joint effort. our country is a joint effort. this city is a joint effort. and this marvelous museum is a joint effort. and i think we should pay tribute to all of those who worked for 16 years to make this happen, and congratulations and god bless you. [applause] mr. mccullough: and no one deserves more credit than gerry lenfest. [applause] mr. mccullough: i think today we should all go away from this ceremony standing taller because of who we are, and what we believe in, what we stand for, the values we still hold dear to us. in this museum will do more to teach the oncoming generations about the importance of the revolution, not just in a military sense, but in a sense of ideas and the human spirit, than anything we've ever had. high time we had such a museum as this. [applause] mr. mccullough: history isn't just about politics and war. history is about art and music and architecture. architecture. [laughter] mr. mccullough: in history is about poetry and memory through the arts. we have a broadway show right now -- a "hamilton." we have the work of john trumbull. we have the architecture of that marvelous period and of now, bob stern's work right here. this is a major work of architecture. [applause] mr. mccullough: this is april 19, 2017. here's a poem from april 19, 1837. 180 years ago. written by ralph waldo emerson. "by the road bridge that urged the flood their flagged april's breeze unfurled here once the embattled farmer stood and fired the shot heard round the world the foe long since in silence slept alike, the conqueror in silence sleeps and time and ruined bridge has swept down the dark stream which seaward creeps on this green bank by this soft stream we set today a votive stone that memory may there deed redeem when, like our sires, our sons are gone spirit that made those heroes dear and die to leave their children free bid time and nature gently spare, the shaft we raise to thee." spirit. spirit and perseverance. george washington once said, to me it's one of the most powerful us --ages to all of "perseverance and spirit perseverance and spirit have , done wonders in all ages." [applause] >> please welcome oneida nation representative and ceo of indian nation enterprises, ray halbritter. [applause] mr. halbritter: thank you for that kind introduction. it's truly an honor to follow one of america's greatest historians. i bring you greetings of peace from the indian nation and our people began gatherings and have since time memorial with a thanksgiving address with these thoughts that we all come together in peace as and we give one, thanks to what we have and our minds become as one. native members have traveled here to be part of this special day know that prayer well. we are so fortunate, that together we could be here to , celebrate the grand opening of such an important museum. one that recognizes the oneida's significant role in the establishment of the united states of america. today is a day of gratitude. the oneida nation is proud that our ancestors will be memorialized in the museum of the american revolution. we are thankful that such great american leaders, like mayor kenney, governor wolf, former vice president joe biden are here with us today. gerry lenfest, your determination and contributions kept the vision of the museum of american revolution in motion , and for that we are forever , thankful. at a time when we experience so much political acrimony, it is gratifying to see leaders in organizations from all walks of life come together to honor our nation's founding. just as the thanksgiving prayer says -- this is also a day that gives my people great peace of mind because is it is the culmination of years of work to preserve, honor, and enshrine our historic role in the founding of this country. never forget -- zero frank refrain with about history. this is forced us to preserve our heritage, it also reminds us that without effort, our past theorist from memories. few is better than native americans and we are proud to be taking steps to make sure our role in this nation founding is remembered. and that the stories of our history are told and retold for generations to come. with today's opening of the national museum of the american revolution, we are rescuing the history of this country's birth and native americans role in it from the dark abyss of the memory chasm. as a proud supporter of this wonderful new facility, the united nations -- initiative because we believe that it is a critical facet of both preserving the history of the united states and honoring indigenous people's formative role in building this great country of ours. today, many americans have no knowledge of native americans' role in the revolution but now they have a chance to hear the rich and compelling story of how our people reached across cultural lines and worked together with the founders and the unified fight for freedom. the history of my ancestors' pivotal coalition with those fighting british tyranny began well before the founders came to the aid of the revolution. before the french it was the united people who became george washington's first allies at great sacrifice to us. it was the oneidas who took up arms in such their colonial neighbors early on considered by many hornz to be the bloodiest battle of the revolution. that battle cemented the longstanding friendship between the oneidas and the colonies and it made the oneidas the first allies of this country. our blood was mingled with the colonists' blood, our bones were mixed with the bones of the patriots. to be sure, it is troubling this .to be sure, it is troubling this history has often been omitted from america's founding story, but those omissions only underscore the significance of this new facility and the moral imperative of the museum's mission. the museum makes sure that we are not succumbing to reductionism and not oversimplifying the beginnings of america. it guarantees that the details are preserved and that all the stories of sacrifice are passed on to future generations as our grandmothers and grandfathers have admonished us to do so. preserving and teaching the true founding story of america is not an exercise in self congratulation. it makes sure that in an increasingly diverse history accurately reflects the diversity of its foundational story. this is particularly important for people of color who too often are victims of historical revisionism, distortion, and omission. native-american heritage for example has often been fictionalized or altogether omitted in ways that are both factually inaccurate and oversimplified. making sure we preserve that multicultural story is not a radical or dangerous idea. more than two centuries after my ancestors fought side by side with general george washington, our ancestors deserve their place in our collective memory about this country's founding. while their bodies died for our future, we now ensure that their memories will not. in erecting this museum, we are also protecting the longevity of the revolution's core ideals for generations to come. two centuries after the war, those notions remain as revolutionary as ever and an inspiration to the world. when my ancestors joined with the colonists, they were standing for these immutable ideals, just as our country still stands in defense of those today. in native american thanksgiving prayer, we have a verse similar to e pluribus unum, from the many one. we bring our minds together as one and in the spirit of that prayer, let us give thanks today for this museum and its work protecting the ideals of america and its founding story. we're doing our part to make sure that the spirit of the american revolution endures and that the diverse roots of america's founding are enshrined for posterity. [applause] >> please welcome colonel john bircher, a recipient of the purple heart for combat service in vietnam and representing the military order of the purple heart. [applause] colonel bircher: thank you. it's such a great honor to be able to be here today. i want to thank general jumper and mike quinn and especially vice president joe biden. what an honor it was to meet you today, mr. vice president. we miss you. [applause] colonel bircher: can i see a show of hands, how many of you in the audience are veterans? wow. [applause] colonel bircher: i'm here today on behalf of a special group of veterans, the 1.7 million men and women who have either given their lives or have been wounded in combat serving to protect the freedoms that we've all come to take so much for granted. i can tell you that the cost of freedom is not free. it's paid for in the blood of the sons and daughters, our mothers, fathers, sisters, and especially the spouses. general george washington at the end of the revolutionary war wanted to do something to recognize the fidelity and bravery of the common soldier, not officers, but rather the nco's and privates who served in the continental army. and so he created on the 7th of august, 1782, the very first declaration in the colonial army called the badge of merit. it was a simple piece of purple cloth inscribed with the word "merit" on it. at first we thought there were only about four people who received it, but our research in the archives has now shown that we know of at least 27 men who received the badge of merit. but after the revolutionary war, it went into disuse and in 1932, then chief of staff of the army general macarthur wanted to do something to recognize the 200th birthday of george washington. and so he brought the badge of merit out of retirement and recreated it as the medal that i wear today. it's the same purple heart and on the back has the words for military merit, but on the face has the likeness of george washington to recognize all that he did in founding the country. as i mentioned, there have been 1.7 million recipients of the purple heart medal. every single veteran has served and sacrificed something. some gave all, but all gave some. and so it's an honor for me to be able to be here on behalf of those purple heart recipients who have sacrificed their lives protecting the freedoms that we all enjoy today. thank you so much. [applause] >> please welcome the students of philadelphia's high school for creative and performing arts and the original cast member of the hit broadway musical "hamilton," sydney james harcourt. [applause] mr. harcourt: philly, how are you today? [applause] mr. harcourt: yeah. i can't tell you what a great day it is to celebrate the birth of our country. every day is a great day to celebrate american history. it's alive here in philly, it's everywhere. and it is my honor to be here for the opening of this gem in your city and in our country the museum of the american revolution. it's fantastic. [applause] mr. harcourt: yeah. long time coming. this next song is particularly relevant because of an exhibit inside this museum. as an actor, especially in a period play, you're always imagining your surroundings -- what was it like? what did it sound like? were there doors? were there lights? so many little things. and i can't tell you how many hours i've spent imagining washington's command tent. it's inside this building. that tent, seeing it in person, it was so moving. it gave this next song new meaning for me. it takes place on the eve of the battle of yorktown, roughly 1781, and david mccullough can correct me if i get anything wrong. [laughter] mr. harcourt: and general washington was giving hamilton his first command and some sage advice. washington had the forethought to know that the actions they were taking were going to reverberate through history for hundreds if not thousands of years. he warned us of demagogues and gave sage advice to hamilton about how to use this power. and i have to say that there may be no greater moment for me than to get to perform this song in front of our vice president who embodies the ideals that george washington spoke about and i want to thank you for your service mr. joe biden. thank you, sir. [applause] mr. harcourt this next song is called "history has its eyes on you." ♪ i was younger than you are now when i was given my first command i led my men straight into a massacre i witnessed their deaths firsthand i made every mistake i felt the shame rise in me and even now i lie awake knowing history has its eyes on me history has its eyes on me let me tell you what i wish i'd known when i was young and dreamed of glory you have no control who lives, who dies, who tells your story i know that we can win i know that greatness lies in you but remember from here on in history has its eyes on you history has its eyes on you ♪ [applause] mr. harcourt: and history does have its eyes on us. everywhere you look, there is history reverberating. this is like a theme park for history. [laughter] it is. everywhere you look. in particular, alexander hamilton walked these streets. his buildings for the treasury office were right there. that's the first bank of america, and our next song -- yeah, let's hear it for the first bank of america. we have a lot now. [applause] mr. harcourt: but our next song details how that bank got its charter. hamilton was obsessed as treasury secretary with getting a debt plan passed and paying for all the debt they incurred with the war and the southern democratic republicans were dead set that he would not pass it. he had to do something he didn't really enjoy, but to make some trades to see what he could get done. never before i think has a song made passing a debt plan sexy and danceable, so it's got that going for it. [laughter] it also happens to be the -- the platform and the impetus for aaron burr to jump into a political life. he was laying back at that time, and when he saw the kind of power that hamilton could wield, he wanted in. helping me, we have playing the role of hamilton, gracious and taylor. we have thomas jefferson is ra meek, and we have james madison as dizzy. this song is called "the room where it happens." [applause] ♪ >> mr. secretary. >> mr. burr, sir. >> did you hear the news about good old general mercer? >> no. >> you know clermont street? >> yeah. >> they renamed it after him. the mercer legacy is secure. >> sure. >> and all he had to do was die. >> that's a lot less work. >> we ought to give it a try. >> ha. >> how you gonna get your debt plan through? >> i guess i'm gonna finally have to listen to you. >> really? >> ♪ talk less smile more do whatever it takes to get my plan on the congress floor ♪ ]\>> madison and jefferson are merciless. >> ♪ well, hate the sin, love the sinner ♪ >> hamilton! >> i'm sorry, burr, i've got to go. >> but -- >> decisions are happening over dinner. >> ♪ two virginians and an immigrant walk into a room ♪ >> ♪ diametrically opposed, foes ♪ >> ♪ they emerge with a compromise having opened doors that were ♪ >> ♪ previously closed >> ♪ bros >> the immigrant emerges with unprecedented financial power, a system he can shape however he wants. the virginians emerge with the nation's capital, and here's the piece de resistance -- ♪ no one else was in the room where it happened the room where it happened the room where it happened no one else was in the room where it happened the room where it happened the room where it happened no one really knows how the game is played the art of the trade how the sausage gets made we just assume that it happens but no one else is in the room where it happens ♪ >> ♪ thomas claims >> alexander was on washington's doorstep one day in distress and disarray. >> ♪ thomas claims >> alexander said -- >> i've nowhere else to turn! >> and basically begged me to join the fray. >> ♪ thomas claims >> i approached madison and said, "i know you hate him, but let's hear what he has to say." >> ♪ thomas claims >> well, i arranged the meeting. i arranged the menu, the venue, the seating. >> but -- ♪ no one else was in >> ♪ the room where it happened the room where it happened the room where it happened ♪ >> ♪ no one else was in >> ♪ the room where it happened the room where it happened the room where it happened ♪ >> ♪ no one really knows how the parties get to yes the pieces that are sacrificed in every game of chess we just assume that it happens but no one else is in the room where it happens ♪ >> ♪ meanwhile >> ♪ madison is grappling with the fact that not every issue can be settled by committee >> ♪ meanwhile >> ♪ congress is fighting over where to put the capital ♪ >> it isn't pretty. ♪ then jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite and madison responds with virginian insight >> maybe we can solve one problem with another and win a victory for the southerners, in other words -- >> oh-ho! >> a quid pro quo. >> i suppose. >> wouldn't you like to work a little closer to home? >> actually, i would. >> well, i propose the potomac. >> and you'll provide him his votes? >> well, we'll see how it goes. >> let's go. >> no! >> ♪ one else was in the room where it happened ♪ >> ♪ the room where it happened the room where it happened no one else was in the room where it happened the room where it happened the room where it happened ♪ >> ♪ my god >> ♪ in god we trust but we'll never really know what got discussed click-boom then it happened ♪ >> ♪ and no one else was in the room where it happened ♪ >> ♪ alexander hamilton >> ♪ what did they say to you to get you to sell new york city down the river ♪ >> ♪ alexander hamilton >> ♪ did washington know about the dinner? was there presidential pressure to deliver? ♪ >> ♪ alexander hamilton >> or did you know, even then, it doesn't matter where you put the u.s. capital? >> 'cause we'll have the banks. we're in the same spot. >> you got more than you gave. >> and i wanted what i got. when you got skin in the game, you stay in the game. but you don't get a win unless you play in the game. oh, you get love for it. you get hate for it. you get nothing if you == >> ♪ wait for it wait for it wait ♪ >> god help and forgive me. i want to build something that's gonna outlive me. >> what do you want, burr? what do you want, burr? if you stand for nothing, burr, then what do you fall for? >> ♪ i want to be in the room where it happens the room where it happens i want to be in the room where it happens the room where it happens i want to be in the room where it happens i i wanna be in the room i wanna be i wanna be i've got to be i've got to be in that room in that big ol' room >> ♪ the art of the compromise >> ♪ hold your nose and close your eyes ♪ >> ♪ we want our leaders to save the day ♪ >> ♪ but we don't get a say in what they trade away ♪ >> ♪ we dream of a brand new start ♪ >> ♪ but we dream in the dark for the most part ♪ >> ♪ dark as a tomb where it happens ♪ >> ♪ i've got to be in the room i've got to be i've got to be oh, i've got to be in the room where it happens i've got to be i've gotta be i've gotta be in the room click, boom ♪ [applause] mr. harcourt: thank you so much. guys. one time, let's hear it for the students. [applause] thank you so much. my pleasure. >> ladies and gentlemen, sidney james harcourt and the students of the high school for the creative and performing arts. [applause] [applause] please welcome the best-selling author of "histories of american women" and political commentator for abc news and npr, cokie roberts. [applause] ms. roberts: so beautiful. and this weather is quite wonderful. [applause] and singing about history. mr. vice president, honored guests and supporters, and especially the young people here today, i have a message. history has its eyes on you. it's true that as general washington said in the song, that you have no control over who tells your story, but it's important that his story and that of the other heroines and heroes of the revolution be told, and of course, that's what we're celebrating here today. you know, there are many stories of bravery on the battlefield during the eight long years of the american resolution. but there are many other stories of people not in combat but in support of the cause, the cause of the idea that became america. take martha washington. she was a prime hostage target. she had to brave diseases and the discomforts of cold and poor rations to join the troops at camp not just the awful winter of valley forge but every winter of the long war. and she did it despite her very strong desire to stay home and tend to her duties in mount vernon. but she did it, because the general, as she put it, begged her to come. my friend david mccullough has written about how important it was that george washington kept the army together, but he needed martha to do that. he understood that she and her cadre of officers' wives were absolutely essential to troop morale. they came and cooked for the soldiers and prayed with the soldiers and nursed with the soldiers and put on big entertainments for them to keep them going through the long winters. i must say it was a good thing that martha was around, george could be a little indiscreet. for instance, the time he danced with three hours straight with the pretty katie green. it was good that martha was on hand. [laughter] keeping up morale is particularly hard in the year 1780. the british were winning on the battlefield, taking american cities. the french have not yet shown up. something had to be done for the soldiers. and one woman here in philadelphia, perhaps, on washington decided that she was the one to do it. ester reed understood that even as a woman in the 18th century, a woman with no political power and no legal power, married women cannot unproperly jewelry on their bodies belong to their husbands, that when you got skin in the game you stay in the game, but you don't get a win unless you play in the game. she called on the women of the country to make sacrifices for the army which defend defend our lives, our possessions and our liberty. she had only been an american woman for 10 years. she came here married to joseph reed, by 1780 was the president or the governor of pennsylvania. she wrote home to england saying i cannot say america was agreeable. soon she became an absolutely ardent patriot, argued for independence as early as october 1775. when war came and her husband joined george washington's forces, ester and her four little children found themselves refugees running from place to place to escape the british, her former countrymen -- think of it -- and disease was rampant. small clock -- smallpox claimed one of her babies, she soon had another. with all of that hardship -- and really think of it -- just getting through the day in 1800 was very hard. she was not worried about herself. she was worried about the troops, so she organized. she became publicly active in a way that a good citizen should. she organized the lady's association of pennsylvania in which she was elected the leader. and put together teams of women to go door to -- door-to-door to collect money for the troops. -- andlicity about it urged women to another state stack as well. as first lady pennsylvania, she wrote to other first ladies of states, and asked them to start fundraising drive. letter debt ofly jeffersons we have -- because thomas jefferson burned his havers -- the only one we is her letter as -- first lady of virginia, aston villa are virginia to go to their parole churches and to make money for the troops, so i may have an opportunity of proving that they also participate in this virtuous feeling. just a couple of weeks -- the women raised in philadelphia $300,000, and expected more from the other state come in. --was on the rep. marchant: painstakingly raise to capitalize his range. accident she had a fight about general washington you how to spend the money. china church -- she wanted to do something more special for the troops. he was the general after a series of -- he won. instrument. -- but just side of dysentery came raging through e succumbeda and sh to it. the council adjourned for her funeral because she was a known person. the business of the ladies association was taken up by the workbench -- woman put them in the place for troops. justice -- cello something special for the women in america. every woman sewed her own name. so soldiers knew that there was a woman who cared about him. a simpleton who cared about him out there, grateful for the work that he was doing. going until the battlefield victories -- battlefield victories came in and the french arrived. she stood home -- and worried about her children -- that's not what she did. she decided to make a difference, who engaged in a monopoly herself, but many other women. in an effort to make a difference. forcould skin in the game her country, a country that would deprive her of political or legal rights. it is what joe biden has been for his entire adult life despite personal disasters and isitical disappointments, he stated the report happens. i know that that's the way. [applause] in thethe way you win game, that's make -- the way you make a difference for your country. that's what you young people are called upon to do as citizens of his great republic that our forefathers and mothers fought for on the battlefield and in the public square over centuries. it is my hope that this museum helps inspire you to become citizensive, involved spins very great country. history has its eyes on you. [applause] >> please welcome vincent brown, but charles born professor of history at harvard university. [applause] >> thank you for coming out. it is an incredible honor. darling -- that this hasn't existed get 32 of museums are were history goes to die. history is commemorated -- commemorated complex and confusing events shrouded in sacred legend. power that can motivate people to heroism. loyalty to a cause. they can be brittle. it snatches and we're weaker for it. >> the the of revolution is and should be living. as the aspirations of the president -- as it was in its deeds of the past. this kind of history is -- contradictory. prominent ironic as often as it is heroic. it also has the virtue of being closer to the truth. to theeply grateful curator of this exhibit for having the courage to tell the truth. that shows not only its product story of natural origin, but a multifaceted account of how one might experience the time of such turmoil. the danger presented will host the especially uncertain outcome of agonizing decisions. and mother are momentous events to commemorate, great men to revere, in this museum, american people are on display and from the perspective of people, history is a predictment rather than a sequence of events to be glorified memorialized and made sacred. this is a living exhibit, a rendering of the nature of resolution times. and george washington's tent. we can imagine the tension he must have felt in making life that will go across the continent and, indeed, the world. and when we see the shackles use to restrain and enslave child, perhaps like one of those used to restrain washington's own slaves. we are reminded that the new nation did not stand for freedom for all, the united states will soon come to hold the largest slave population in the history of the world and yet the revolution continued to inspire. >> his we can turn our attention, even if only briefly, to harry washington. he joined the british army or he migrating toion, nova scotia, eventually to sierra leone. in the 1800s he joined another rebellion against the british. failed, they know that he thought it -- and american spirit of revolution, -- 75 years after the declaration of independence, the great abolitionist cap same at -- frederick douglass famously asked, what -- is the fourth of july? his answer. an inspiration to over throw the tyranny of his day, to side with the right against the wrong with the weak against the strong and with to pressed against to presser, he said. here lies of those revolutionaries and many that have followed. like douglas, most americans are not content with reassuring origin stories. we work now for the prospect of the better future with past levels our guide. we see the american revolution in its own historical present, we look not only on the grand jury of long debt heroes. we appreciate the efforts of common women, men and children of all sorts. their losses, as well as their victories and determination to turn those losses into lessons that will keep them fighting on. where american symmetry to about half by rededicating -- taking this as an inspiration to make the united states the company retreat and meaning to be. i, for one, to a very fortunate that this museum is alive right now to show a way. [applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, chairman -- and 17th chief of staff in the united states air force, general john j jumper. [applause] >> mr. vice president, distinguished guest, jerry, marjorie and your family. the museum of american resolution honors the courage, the sacrifice, the toil and the blood of a generation who dared to fight for war for independence. they did so in a quest to found a nation dedicated to those self evident, values and truths and all people are created equal and in a conviction that citizens of our nations could, can, and should cover themselves. now, 242 years after the first shot was fired at concord, the museum can begin its work as an institution that preserves the stories and inspires generations of young people to embrace the meeting of those troops. but as museum even as a new museum, we have our own story and own heroes who encouraged sacrifice made the day possible. it is both my pleasure and duty to thank and recognize them. first, our predecessor and sustained by many dedicated selfless people throughout the 20th century, thanks to them with can present -- sustained by amended -- dedicated -- selfless people throughout the 20th century, thanks to them with can present an unparalleled collection of artifacts presented in our museum. to the national park service, which gave up ownership within the independent national historical park so we can serve the millions who come here every year. to mr. robert stern, who designed this landmark building and the skill and trades men and workers who transformed the organization into a full grown institution, who have overseen the construction, who have conceived a remarkable exhibit program and symbol of phenomenal team of designers, and artist to bring this all to light for us. none of this would have been possible without the financial resources given by more than 11,000 donors. 11,000 donors. remarkable. [applause] not only from philadelphia, but from every state in the union. names of thesee major donors on the sound -- inside the wall fear inside the entrance companies museum. articles thanks towards each and every one of them. but they would preserve our loftiest aspirations, deepest respect for one man most responsible for ringing us to this place on the day. after a lecture. is jerry klein share. [applause] terry became the founding chairman in 2005. although relinquishing that official position last december. he will forever remain that singular selfless power, able to elevate the human spirit and inspired human endeavor. and to deliver this honoring the nation's struggle for independence. it's a privilege to follow you and it's a privilege to recognize you for your selfless dedication. ladies and gentlemen, jerry. [applause] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> >> jerry just asked me to make a few comments on his behalf. although it took many years for the museum of the american resolution to be brought to this nation, it is finally here. we would like to thank all of those who contributed to its being. when to go, jerry. [applause] >> thank you, marguerite, thank you, jerry. it is now my duty to introduce our keynote speaker, former price -- vice president joe biden. i'm a little -- [applause] i mention much more exaggerated personal. praise of them all -- or all absolutely true. he is fromo add, pennsylvania, born in scranton. [applause] age, his family undertook that of hazardous crossing of the delaware river. [applause] to settle in wilmington. there, mr. biden successfully ran for one a seat in the u.s. senate in 1982, becoming one of the youngest senators in american history. that was just the beginning of a career of one of our nations great public servants. he won elections of -- of the senate's times and was elected vice president twice. ladies and gentlemen, please 47th price -- vice president of the united states [applause] of america, joe biden. [applause] [applause] ♪ >> thank you very much. thank you. [applause] thank you. thank you. thank you, very very much. ♪ -- those of us who have served in public office for some time are accustomed to say, it is an honor to be here. but this is truly, an honor to be invited to participate today. a --o follow such distinguished speakers. i mean that sincerely. thank you. to honor, it's a pleasure to sit there again. mr. mayor, thank you for the passport and philadelphia. guests, i waswith contemplating -- those flattered to be asked to host a keynote. it will not belong. contemplating what i should talk about. what i think is a fundamental question. what is museum intended to stand for? livedfor founders -- who the revolution, who give their lives to the revolution? overly tempting to do? what did they stand for? i think it is important that we answer that question. it is as relevant today as it was then. emerson's home, what did the people in hear and there that shot heard round the world are? you was just upon independence? a revolution for independence? in about an idea. dunnigan likes to a renaissance idea that a country could actually be governed by his people. .ll of its people ,ealthy people, poor people people who could read, couldn't read, educated, uneducated. the revolutionary production of -- it seems tois me that's ultimately what they say, america was an idea. are -- thatt people people could government -- govern themselves. the idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. to truly waschance -- idea thatry gave hope to the rest of the world. it's an american idea -- gives hope to the rest of the world. -- i have traveled almost every country in the world. years, and i've met every major world leader without exception. why do they look at us the way they do. why are we still the most respected nation in the world. but all are faults and all of the mistakes we've made. our principals, our in founders seems to me they will asserted which has been all referenced already, again, what was a revolutionary idea, will in including the french revolution. we hold these truths self evident. we hold these troops self evident. there is a you a linkce is playing off ad nothing self evident about that \assertion when it was made. all men are created equal, endowed by their creators. we initially asserted that our rates do not come from a government, they come from the mere fact that we're children of god. we exempt, therefore, we have these rights. we need not ask anyone, in and in and in there may havet privately and any of the rights to possess. this new republic went on to -- would not be defined by single race or religion, but by those rights -- we need them is anyone any of the rights we present -- is us this republic and will not be defined by a single race and or , but by those rights than to our founders were self evident and they thought self executed. but it took 13 years to give those assertive rights, 13 years to put these ideas into a document of governance, constitution. constitution that made our institutions the guarantor, not the deliverer of, but the guarantor of these enailble rights. it was the vehicle that we constructed here in this city this would enshrine the principles we said, we believed in. and unlike any other nation in the world, that is no high per blee -- high per boly. unlike any other nation in the world, the united states is uniquely a product of our political institutions. you cannot define in america by race, elyreligion, ethnicity. you can only find in america, why an intuitive commitment to the notion that all men are created equal endowed by their creator. and guaranteed by that constitution. our constitution on our adherence to his principles are the reason why we remain the most respected emulated, revered nation in the world. what you'reing today with some others. we lead -- [applause] i was criticized, totally justifiable criticism, about 12 years ago when i said in a major speech that -- not by -- that is not hi per blee. we lead the world by the power of our example. how can we maintain just as the generation of resolutions for us, did. just like every generation follow and -- we have to remind ourselves how we been able to account much. how did we are in that respect? justan we maintain it, just like josh every generation has followed and will follow. if you excuse contemporary comments, the only way this nation can be governed, the consent of the people as we arrive at a consensus. someone said the truly wise parent, and argue wise government knows what to overlook as well as to what look at. the politics today is pulling us apart at the seams. it's gotten worse. politics has become too negative, too nasty, too petty, to personal. partisans are not looked as opponents, but as enemies. we no longer just question judgment of our opponents, we spend more time questioning their motive, very presumptuous thing to do. i learned a lesson early on and i do not want to go to the senate of an accident that occurred after when i was elected. a man named mike mansfield, a man who had more integrity that most people have in their whole body, came to me and said you owe it to your deceased wife and your child to be sworn in only 1,700, i think he said, 12 had ever been sworn in. come stay six months. the day i was supposed to be sworn in, as mike castle remembered, i didn't show up, i stayed in the hospital, changed my mind. when i went down and i -- he sensed the secretary of the senate to the hospital to swear me in. and when i was down i got an , assignment, i thought every freshman senator got an assignment, once a week i would show up in the majority leader's office to report on the assignment i was given. it took me about three months to figure out all he was doing was checking my pulse to see how i was doing. one day at the end of may, following the tradition i had, which was what to walk through those double doors down the senate to check so i know which amtrak train i can take to get home to see my sons. and jessie was -- friend of mine to this day bob dole and one of my mentors, teddy kennedy, for the precursor, for the america's with disabilities act. he's talking about it's not government's obligation to care and deal with the handicap, et cetera. so i walked in and sat down for my meeting. and i guess i looked angry and he said, what's the matter, joe, he spoke and turned. i said, that jessie helms, and i went on to basically say, he had no social redeeming value. i didn't understand how he could do what he was doing. he looked at me and said, joe what would you tell me if i told you that dot and jessie helps three years ago were really the observer in their hometown of north carolina. what would you say if i went and adopted that child? he said, i learned a long time ago, everyone has been sent here has been sent because their state found something good about them. it's your job to look for that. it's always appropriate to question the man and woman's judgment, but never their motive because you don't know it. well, because you don't know it. well, ladies and gentlemen all we do today is seem question motive. we need to focus on the things that unite us, what our founders understood, that there was nothing beyond our capability, beyond our capacity, nothing. focus on that was referenced by a previous speaker. unum.ibus out of one many, that's who we are. so different. we're so different. it's so similar in our aspirations. we have the christening, the constitution was to make those aspirations sing. history as demonstrated when we act as one america, we always do well, no matter who is in charge. rich, poor, middle class, black, white, asian, hispanic, gay, transgender. those have been here generations and those who have only come recently. one even when it's not easy, which most of the time it's not, even when there are setbacks and attitudes. we have always eventually stepped forward. we've always over come. but as martin o'malley, who i consider a great friend who is an incredible governor, he heard me say this before when he asked me to speak at fort mchenry's anniversary. i think we're the only country in the world with anthem, national anthem that ends with a question. i don't think there's any other. i may be mistaken, i don't think there's any other anthem in the world that ends with a question, does that star spangle banner yet wave? that question in its implicit aspiration is echoed through every single per liss moment in less moment -- peril in america and helped us endured over the past two centuries. was it still waving in the midst, 200 years ago of fort mchenry. was it waving 50 years later as don's early light ripped apart by a civil war. was the waving on the beach of enormity and the mountains of korea and the jungles of vietnam, the streets of falluja and the kunar valley in afghanistan. was it still wavy. was it wavy in over america when american stood on the moon, our first responders, ground zero. was it wavy when a weery president of gettisburg or a preacher of the dream at the lincoln memorial. was a wave over every embassy, every position, every shift, man, woman, to the service of american. every fire house, ballpark, town and city of this great nation and the front porches of my house and many of yours waiting for their return. you state the obvious, thus far is the resounding answer is yes. and it will now and forever wave, but only be holding on to it. because it's not the flag that we're waving, it's what lives within us. is it in our heart. do we really understand and mean what this museum is about to celebrate. and the heart of every american is the very idea of america. i don't even know it to articulate it that way. ask the average person when you leave here, go to lunch on the street corner, why do you have the right to do a, b, c or d. they'll tell you, because the constitution says i do and may have never even ever read the constitution. folks, this is important, not monument, but reminder that we've got to fight every damn day to remind ourselves how we got to where we are. and don't ever think that there's ever anything self executing about democracy. we live in this museum and every movement of every child who is going to walk through this door and the hand of parrot and believes that he or she can do anything. why? it's all about the consent of the government and that's what makes us different. that's what makes us special. been twice an incredible honor to stand here in the opening of the museum, that, for so many, my fellow americans. god bless you all and let god protect our futures. [applause] >> thank you vice president biden. for thelease join me ribbon-cutting to open the doors to people around the world. the philadelphia boy's choir will perform while we cut the patient aplease be little. and thank you all for coming. >> america america america america america ♪ and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea shining sea from shining sea god shed his grace on thee america america americaful ♪ america america god shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. america america america ♪ [applause] >> this weekend on american history tv on c-span3, tonight at 8 p.m., lectures in history. messiah college professor on the people and ideas that shaped the 1776 pennsylvania constitution very >> the continental congress, right, have instructed ,fter the july 4 declaration instructed all the colonies, now states, to form new government. >> sunday at 4:30 p.m. eastern. secret service reflect on protecting presidents reagan boeing the 1981 says nation -- following the 1981 assassination attempt. seconds toad determine where those shots were coming from. by that time, use of the smoke from weapons, individuals moving toward the potential assailant, and i moved toward him as well. >> than at 8:00, on the presidency, annette gordon reed on the relationship between thomas jefferson and the enslaved hemmings family. >> people were property that could be bought and sold. that was the thing that many of hemmingsmembers of the with thehey all lived specter of the possibility that to that could happen, because the law construed them as property. jefferson construed them as property. complete american history tv schedule, go to c-span.org. >> we are standing in front of the turtle bay exploration park and museum in redding, california. ♪