By: Chloe Smith
Students stepped out of the classroom and back in history on April as they gathered for a campus march and public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The event began at noon in Brock Hall and moved across the promenade, with the group stopping near Wright Hall to call attention to the nation’s founding document.
Michel Sun Lee, assistant professor in the History and Political Studies Department and organizer of the event, said the idea came from an upcoming milestone in American history.
“It’s going to be the 250th year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July,” Lee said. “The declaration was first orated on July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia, but we’re not going to be in school for that anniversary, so I thought that it would be cool if we did something before school gets out.”
Originally ratified on July 4, 1776, the Declaration outlined the American colonies’ grievances against King George III and formally asserted their independence from Britain, according to the National Archives and Records Administration. Almost 250 years later, the campus event aimed to highlight the document’s relevance today.
Many of the participants who were assigned historical characters embraced the chance to dress in costume for the reenactment. According to Lee, the event helped students connect more deeply with history.
“Reenacting an oration like this helps students to really understand what it felt like to be a patriot or a loyalist in the 18th century,” Lee said. “I think students enjoyed being part of the event.”
The event started out as an extra credit opportunity for Lee’s students, but later grew to include a larger group of students.
“I decided that I would advertise it a little bit more widely for students who are maybe majoring in history or English and are just interested in historical reenactments,” Lee said.
Heidi Burke, a junior history secondary education major, said that the event highlighted the principles of the nation’s founding, both past and present.
“I think it is a beautiful celebration of the United States of America,” Burke said. “With the 250th anniversary coming up very soon, it’s a reminder that history is always alive and still prevalent among us.”
For other participants, the event was a fun way to engage with American history. Curtis Ballew, a freshman graphic design major, said that he initially joined for the extra credit but found the experience to be enjoyable.
“I thought it would be fun to remind people how important it is that we got independence,” Ballew said. “It’s the 250th anniversary, and history could have played out a lot differently.”
Ballew also took the opportunity to dress the part, sporting a white wig, ruffled collar and suit jacket.
“I enjoy getting to dress up,” he said. “I make this wig look good.”
Though some joined for the credit, Marshall Beaven, a junior political science major, said he took part in the event purely out of enthusiasm for the experience.
“I’m pretty much just in it for the love of the game,” Beaven said. “I was asked if I wanted to be part of it, and I thought, ‘You know what? Yes, I actually do want to participate and celebrate the anniversary.’”
Beaven said one of his favorite parts was the reading itself.
“I definitely enjoyed getting to read out the Declaration of Independence and dressing up,” he said. “There’s kind of a mutual embarrassment, but it’s fun. I think I would do well in the 18th century.”
Zachary Bradley, a senior history major who dressed as Thomas Jefferson, fully embraced the reenactment and emphasized the significance of the march.
“It’s really fun to get to reenact stuff, but it’s also good to remember where we come from,” Bradley said.
Bradley also added that studying the past is crucial to understanding the future.
“A lot of things in the Declaration still apply to us today,” he said. “Thinking about the past is very pertinent to the events of today, which will play into the events of the future.”
Caleb Simpson, a senior history major who learned of the event through discussions with classmates, said he believed it could have been more widely promoted.
“I feel like it was a good idea, but there should have been more advertising,” Simpson said.
The event was originally announced on March 11 through an email sent by Lee to the History Department Southern Scholars. The email was later sent to all Southern Scholars and the History Department.
“It’s not often that our campus sees a march—but it’s coming,” the email read. “[The Declaration] is foundational to the American identity and has guided us through some 250 years as a republic. So let’s remind the campus of its weight and continued relevance.”
According to Lee, the event was not just a reenactment but also a reminder of the lasting significance of the past. When asked what she would say to students, she emphasized the importance of staying educated on American history.
“Study history,” Lee said. “The Declaration of Independence is a sacred document, and its principles are still relevant to us today.”
