Monticello Friday 7/4
In these tense times, you have to wonder what the Fourth of July means to us in 2025. Independence from the English crown, sure, but with No Kings protests and a growing lack of faith in major political parties, the democratic intentions of the founding fathers may reverberate with added gravity—at least for those who are paying attention.
At Monticello, a select group will be laser focused on our national identity, when the home of Thomas Jefferson once again plays host to a uniquely patriotic event, a naturalization ceremony that has been taking place on the morning of the country’s birthday for more than 60 years.
While past speakers have ranged from the political and presidential (FDR, Truman, Ford, and George W. Bush) to the academic (UVA’s John T. Casteen III and Jim Ryan) and elsewhere (actress Tracy Ullman, artist Christo, musician Dave Matthews, and Olympic gymnast Nadia Comăneci), this year it’s up to documentary filmmaker Ken Burns to deliver the keynote.
In a way, it’s fitting that Burns speaks to these freshly confirmed U.S. citizens. After all, the man’s episodic TV miniseries filmography has become a powerful touchstone for the country’s knowledge about ourselves and what we’re capable of producing and destroying. And from a cinematic standpoint, his signature storytelling style is entrenched in our understanding of the visual language of documentaries—so much so that he’s got a zooming and panning effect in Apple video production products named after him.
Consider that outside of his recent sidestep to examine Leonardo da Vinci, Burns has made a career of telling particularly American stories: “Brooklyn Bridge” (1981), “The Statue of Liberty” (1985), “The Civil War” (1990), “Baseball” (1994), “Jazz” (2001), the 15-hour-long WWII doc “The War” (2007), and “The National Parks” (2009). And yes, he’s even made one on Charlottesville’s favorite founder, “Thomas Jefferson” (1997).
The day before at two sold-out sessions, Burns will show previews of his latest, “The American Revolution,” but the July 4 morning talk on the Monticello’s West Lawn is open to the public and free (advance registration required), and includes kids’ activities, music, concessions, and takes place under a fan-cooled tent—rain or shine. Burns’ experience in telling our country’s history should lend an inimitable perspective about what these new citizens are really getting themselves into.
Supplied photo
