Tagged With "Independence Day"

Thanks ,it truly is a highlight of any trip to the area.I loved the Location and setting of the house.

Jefferson has always been a fascinating and difficult character, with many sides to his life and work. Aside from the Monticello and other designs, he was also a pioneer agriculturalist, importing many varieties of flowers and vegetables, and improving them by breeding. But for me, the hardest task, mentally and emotionally, is to reconcile the brilliant political and philosophical words with an absolute refusal to even question the institution of slavery, when many others of his time in...

PHeymont, I never try to judge historic figures through the prism of modern values. Remember in the 18th century slavery was a global institution -- absolutely every country in the world had slaves. And being from Virginia, he knew the southern states wouldn't join northern colonies in forming a new country without slavery being allowed, so I don't think he thought it was time to fight that fight. I think he valued the formation of the new country above all else -- risking his life to do so...

I would agree that presentism is a real danger for historians...but without wanting to veer this discussion too far off course, you'll note that I cited two of his close colleagues and acquaintances in Virginia alone, not to mention Lafayette and many others IN HIS TIME AND ACQUAINTANCE who had already concluded that it was time, and many others were acting on it. It was an active debate in his time and place, he was aware of it, and sadly...he took the wrong side.

I agree his side was not the right one, PHeymont, but I also believe of greatest importance for him was forming the new country. I don't think we'll ever know his personal feelings about slavery because he didn't write about them.

I believe you can tell a great deal about someone from what they leave behind. On a visit to Monticello I was struck by the design of the house and the distinct sensibility it indicated regarding the creative mind of it's designer. I bought a sundial in the gift shop and am reminded of the man every time I look at it.

Regarding his feeling about slavery, I have no doubt, because of the nature of the man as shown by the things he did write, he was conflicted. And while he seems never to have come to a personal solution I don't believe, either, that his lack of action was de facto support for the institution. Sometimes there just isn't time to resolve one's own conflicts and be a father of a new nation too. We may be asking too much of human beings if we expect tidy packages and complete resolutions in 1 ...

I visited Monticello as a kid and enjoyed the views. I need to go back now and look at the architecture here and especially at the U of V in more detail. My favorite John Kennedy quote (to his staff at a dinner in the White HOuse) I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone. Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quo...#G4wQ5S4SazWSs0dq.99

Philly really is a beautiful city. Its best feature is it's pedestrian friendly. I love the Architecture and the people there. The Football (soccer) stadium too. It has a slower feel compared to New York. No one rushing to get there - like they're late. I like the smaller stores closing at 5. Behind the counter those folks have got families to go home to. And in Philly the folks stop and talk when you need directions. Best and friendliest Airport north of Florida too. It's a shame that...

Thanks for a fresh new look at Philly. We've just started looking at how many under-appreciated places there are, good places to go but you get funny looks or blank stares when you mention them. You've certainly moved Philadelphia up the charts for me!

I've only visited Philly once, and your post brought back some great memories of a nice city. I visited a few weeks after 9-11-01, a difficult and unsettled time everywhere in North America. But everyone was friendly and agree with Garry. A very walkable city with lots of great architecture and historic sites.

Gary, that's a good point about stores closing at 5 so people can go home to their families, and I'm glad you mentioned that. Sometimes us impatient fast-walking New Yorkers need to be reminded of that. I did love how walkable Philly is, and the slower feel was perfect for a weekend getaway.

sounds like a fun trip...thanks for sharing it

One thing foreign travel shows us is how much the USA has to offer too. I get as much of a thrill being welcomed back home as I do going on my trip.

Happy Independence Day, American friends! This is my first one ever, and we're in California for it.

I like this memorial, especially at night time, when the bronze figure of Jefferson really stands out against the light colored dome. Thanks, Ottoman!

Imagine a smartphone battery that could recharge fully in just over a minute, could be recharged 7500 times, and is lighter than any battery you've ever had. And, oh yes, it can't catch fire as lithium-ion batteries can, and it's easier to recycle....

A few weekends ago, my fiancé, my best friend and I decided to go to Philly for an overnight trip. Our goal for the weekend was to see all the touristy parts of Philadelphia.   When we got to Philly from NYC, we headed straight for the L...

    While TravelGumbo is a global travel community, with members and followers in dozens of countries, our largest audience is in the USA.  Today the United States is celebrating the 238th birthday of one of the most significant...

If you ever visit Washington, D.C., make sure to visit this beautiful memorial dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, a complex 18th century man with a wide ranging impact on the very makeup of America itself.

  Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States.  His brilliance and great writing skills are well known.  He authored one of the greatest statements of liberty in human history, the Declaration of...

Six Flags is adding a new wrinkle to stomach-churning roller coasters: a VR experience that puts riders into the air with Superman and other adventures.

France's island region of Corsica is seeing new stirrings of nationalism, as pro-independence parties won power in the regional elections earlier this month. The new leaders have promised to move toward independence, but cautiously. The caution is based on a few points, among them polls that make clear that most Corsicans want a vote on independence, but that many are not sure it's a realistic goal economically. Unlike Spain's Catalonia or the U.K.'s Scotland, Corsica does not have a strong...

DrFumblefinger visits the famous cracked Liberty Bell, which rang above Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Bok Kai Temple, a California registered landmark and national treasure, was built in 1880, the oldest Taoist temple in the United States.

A historic structure and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colombo, Independence Monument was built at the site where the country began its self rule and ended centuries of colonial occupation.