Harvard University faculty joined filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein on March 25 for a panel discussion about the ongoing significance of America’s founding documents. The event, held at the Knafel Center and co-presented with the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, was part of Harvard’s History Department “Harvard in 1776” series and featured experts who appear in Burns and Botstein’s new PBS documentary, “The American Revolution.”
The discussion focused on how foundational texts like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution continue to shape American society. Philip Deloria, Leverett Saltonstall Professor of History, said that while the Declaration is like America’s “vision statement,” expressing ideals such as human equality, he sees the Constitution as an “operating manual” built on compromises over individual rights. “The disjunction between the vision statement and the operating manual is part of the dilemma of the United States and its history,” Deloria said.
Moderator Bruce H. Mann, Carl F. Schipper Jr. Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, noted that much of Burns’ documentary is informed by current or former Harvard historians. Panelists including Vincent Brown spoke about Britain’s Caribbean colonies’ economic power due to enslaved laborers; Annette Gordon-Reed discussed Thomas Jefferson’s relationship with slavery; Deloria highlighted promises made to Continental Army recruits regarding Native American land.
Sarah Botstein said, “We want the film to be somewhat inspirational, a little bit patriotic, and for audiences to care about American history — to care about where we’ve been so they can understand where we are now and how to fight for a better future.” Gordon-Reed reflected on changing narratives: “One of the things you get from the documentary is that this has always been a multiracial, multicultural country… Growing up in Texas, the vision I got was that it was a story from when the country was white.” Deloria praised efforts by Burns and Botstein to include Native American stories.
Ken Burns observed that aspirational language in America’s founding continues to resonate: “It’s very interesting that Gettysburg Address… begins with a nod to Declaration — not Constitution.” As Americans approach 250 years since independence, panelists considered what lessons remain relevant today. Gordon-Reed concluded: “The lesson is that experiment is ongoing. The people have to be vigilant; they have to be involved.” Deloria added his own experience leading community readings: “I think what that tells us is we must fight. Not only for principles in Declaration but for right to speak Declaration itself.”
