Declaration of Independence
Friday, June 29, 2018
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Joslyn Community Center Ocean Banquet Hall
1601 North Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach, CA 
No reservations necessary

Declaration of Independence with Forefathers The Fourth of July will soon be upon us. Among the fireworks and the block parties, it would be good to stop for just a moment and look back at that critical summer in Philadelphia. Historian David McCullough points out how inevitable our history seems 242 years later, but that isn’t how history works. Then as now, there were no guarantees that all was going to turn out right in the end. The 56 patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence did, indeed, risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. The Revolution, like every other event in our history, was never a sure thing.

Enrich your understanding and appreciation of the holiday by coming to Gary Hartzell’s June 29th presentation on who some of these rebellious signers were and what drove them to do what they did: the masterful eloquence of 33 year-old Thomas Jefferson, the political savvy of John Adams, and the genius of 70 year-old Benjamin Franklin, along with three others who have faded from the national memory to become “forgotten founders.”

Due to limited parking at the Joslyn Community Center, we encourage everyone to use alternate transportation or call Dial-A-Ride at (310) 545-3500.

About Gary Hartzell
Gary Hartzell The speaker is one of our most eminent local historians, Dr. Gary Hartzell: outstanding presenter, retired professor, former principal and history teacher at Mira Costa High School, and longtime resident of Manhattan Beach.

For more information, feel free to contact the Older Adults Program at (310) 802-5430.