New York — Downtown this far, the city doesn’t fully resemble the New York of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Empire State Building. A group of college-educated “public intellectual” types are gathered. Some of the New Yorkers among us had no recollection of being at this landmark, Fraunces Tavern, before. Did George Washington write his farewell address here? Or sleep here? No, but Fraunces Tavern should get partial credit. Washington was here, on December 4, 1783, to deliver a farewell to his officers. Americans are so awash in history, we can’t even keep track.
We were meeting to talk in advance of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It’s an occasion for more than a military parade. It’s an opportunity to remember who we are and why it matters.
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