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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. Celebrate the spirit of independence with people who bring history and the battle of bunker hill to life. Plus. we'll show you the precursor to Paul Revere's famous midnight ride. It began right here. And the origin of the state motto and how LIVE FREE OR DIE made its way on to granite state license plates. |
| Hello /intro bunker Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to this special edition of New Hampshire Outlook. I'm at Fort Constitution. on Portsmouth Harbor. The place some say is the true birthplace of American independence. We'll show you what Paul Revere did here years before his famous boston ride in just a minute. First, we want to introduce you to some people who bring history to life in a very real way. They're doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics, grocery store clerks. The one thing they have in common is a passion for renacting the battles of the American Revolution. |
| Re-enactment Return to index of stories... |
On June 17, in Durham, companies of British soldiers walked head-on into well armed and fortified American colonists. Other than the location, this is what it would have looked and sounded like 226 years ago, at the Battle of Bunker Hill. "The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the most important battles of the American Revolution." Following their retreat from Lexington in April of 1775, the British, occupied the strategic seaport of Boston. There, they planned to fortify their seige by establishing a stronghold on Bunker Hill. Actually, it ended up on nearby Breed's Hill. "Our spies got the word that the British were planning to retake Charlestown and our offices, unorganized militia mostly, organized and decided to beat them to the punch. On the night of June 16, they went up there with about 800 men and made a redoubt and the next morning when the British awoke they found a redoubt all built and ready for cannon." "I'm from Ossipee, nh and my son has been in this a couple of times. This is my Father's Day treat, to come here and watch them. I get a lot of history and knowledge out of this." "We enjoy the time era. My husband and I have always enjoyed it and the kids are studying it in school so they can experience it first hand and go back and tell everyone what's going on." The British, under the leadership of General Howe, advanced on the hill with 2,500 soldiers and artillery. "It was a prolonged battled, fought in three waves. The Americans were fighting some of the best British soldiers. The first attack was from the beach. John Stark from NH was there." "Stark let them have it and it turned into a bloody battle for the British. They were dropped like flies." During the second attack, the British encountered colonial militia in the woods and behind rail fences. "Washington said that if you put the militia behind anything, they will fight. This was a great example of that." The first two British charges were ineffective. The colonists suffered few casualities. "Finally on the third attempt, they took it. The Americans run out of powder and ammunition." "The seige army didn't have many supplies. The British were getting gun powder from England and they ended up taking the day. It was a hollow victory however because they experienced so many casualties" Of the 2,500 British troops, more than 1,000 suffered casualties. The American number was 440. "It was scary, I would have been the one running into the woods. They just kept on walking into each other. The cause must have been great to sacrifice yourself like they did." "We hear in school that this was about 'taxation without representation', but would you have been bayonetted over taxes. I believe it was more about the political differences of the two countries. They had grown apart and the Americans had really become Americans. The British didn't understand that." On this hot, summer day, an hour from the actual battle site, hundreds have enjoyed and appreciated an important part of our history. It's what brings them back year after year. "There comes a time when the reenactors are taken back. It's like being in a time machine, that's what we all look forward to. It's like a chapter out of history." |
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If you missed the excitement in Durham, you'll have another chance to witness history come to life. Exeter is hosting a Revolutionary War Festival the weekend of July 21 and 22. |
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Next. we're going to take a tour of the place many say is the real birthplace of american independence. Joining me now to explain why is Dan McIsaac. He's with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and often gives tours of Fort Constitution. Ok. What's this about Paul Revere. |
| Intro Tall ship Return to index of stories... |
Its hard to imagine that generations past could look out onto this harbor and see a schooner sail by. These days it's a rarity to see one of the historic tall ships in port, but this spring Captain Dan Parrott of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore Two allowed our crew to board ship and experience history first hand. |
| Tall Ship Return to index of stories... |
TAPE OL# 26 |
| Fort walk 2 Return to index of stories... |
There are so many layers of history in New England. Here at Fort Constitution, the walls tell many stories. on that side, we see the remnants of the American Revolution. and over here Dan, something from another era. |
| Intro Live Free or Die Return to index of stories... |
Live Free or Die. It's a phrase that is as much a symbol of the Granite State as the Old Man of the Mountain or our first in the nation primary. But do you know who first coined the phrase? And how it ended up on our License Plates? Producer Chip Neal first went searching for the answer almost a decade ago. |
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For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - Since the days of Chatauqua there have been summer theatres in various corners of the state. Some feature performers from around the country while other feature local talent. We'll look at the grand tradition of summer theatre in the granite state. That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Happy Independence Day. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| Long Credits Return to index of stories... |
Segment Producer/Editor: Phil Vaughn Interns: Ben French Jack Gray Bethany Stone |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look of stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE:7/4/01 TOPIC:We want to introduce you to some people who bring history to life in a very real way. They're doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics, grocery store clerks. The one thing they have in common is a passion for renacting the battles of the American Revolution. SEGMENT LENGTH::6:29 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Mark Ryan\Event Organizer Jennifer Reveruzdi\Spectator Paul O'Shaughnessy\"British Officer" Ray Chavarie\"British Officer" Arlene Johnson\Spectator |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE:7/4/01 TOPIC: this spring Captain Dan Parrott of the tall ship Pride of Baltimore Two allowed our crew to board ship and experience history first hand. SEGMENT LENGTH: 5:10 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Capt. Dan Parrott\Pride of Baltimore II Donald Coker\Piscataqua Maritime Commission David Briddle\Bosan, Pride of Baltimore II |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE:7/4/01 TOPIC: Live Free or Die. It's a phrase that is as much a symbol of the Granite State as the Old Man of the Mountain or our first in the nation primary. But do you know who first coined the phrase? And how it ended up on our License Plates? Producer Chip Neal first went searching for the answer almost a decade ago. SEGMENT LENGTH: 5:52 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Chip Neal\NH Outlook N.H. Historical Society |
| Tonight 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Some feature performers from around the country while other feature local talent. We'll look at the grand tradition of summer theatre in the granite state. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tonight 11:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Here at 11:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Bunker Hill Return to index of stories... |
First, we want to introduce you to some people who bring history to life in a very real way. They're doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics, grocery store clerks. The one thing they have in common is a passion for renacting the battles of the American Revolution. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - Since the days of Chatauqua there have been summer theatres in various corners of the state. Some feature performers from around the country while other feature local talent. We'll look at the grand tradition of summer theatre in the granite state. |