This past Friday I had the opportunity to attend Declaration Day, an event hosted by SPIA to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the document central to all American life in a fun, social setting. The discussion was led by a panel of experts from up and down the East Coast: Peter Hoffer, Robert Parkinson, and Jeremy Cynamon, all of whose insights were exceptionally detailed. Even without existing enthusiasm on the subject, one could not help but be intrigued by their passionate responses.
What I failed to realize before attending the discussion was that interaction with the panel was conducted by roleplaying members of society in the 1770s, as if we the audience were questioning the document’s contents before it was ratified. This strange and unique spin on a Q&A had several beneficial effects. First, those in attendance were able to weigh the ramifications of the document from multiple perspectives: colonists, loyalists, civic members, and Native Americans were among the individuals posing questions to the panel. I heard perspectives of Americans against the Declaration of Independence that I had not previously encountered. Also, the audience members’ enthusiasm, displayed through accents, gesturing, and thoughtful questioning, made the dense topic entertaining and silly whilst retaining its educational value. Members of the audience were undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and university guests, each with their own valuable perspective.
This event reaffirmed my appreciation for non-traditional educational resources. When and how else would people from a variety of different backgrounds be able to casually engage one another alongside experts on topics such as constitutional law? I feel grateful to be a part of a community such as SPIA that fosters such an impactful educational and social environment.
Written by:
Isadora (Sadie) Eubanks
B.A. Political Science, B.A. International Affairs, B.A. Economics
Class of 2028
