Our Semiquincentennial
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, pictured above in the iconic painting by John Trumbull, we selected a quotation for this week’s acrostic from … the Declaration of Independence. We beg the indulgence of our solvers for not including an author’s name in the puzzle. For one thing, the Declaration, though drafted initially by Thomas Jefferson, had many authors in the end. For another thing, an author’s name would not have fit, given the NYT format for acrostics!
The upcoming semiquincentennial (that’s a mouthful) has, sadly, become rather politicized, at least from our vantage point in Washington, DC. We nevertheless hope that all of us can find ways to celebrate the occasion free from polemics. At a recent family gathering, Jane’s sister posed a simple question to the assembled: What do you appreciate about our nation? A range of responses included baseball, Broadway, living among people from virtually everywhere on the planet, and the National Parks.
How would you answer that question?
As for the acrostic, we expect that you have uncovered a number of references to the Declaration of Independence, including several of the words drawn from one of its most famous passages, which begins “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” And we squeezed in a few other terms harkening back to the Revolutionary War.
For those who haven’t seen it, we commend The American Revolution, a recent film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Here’s the trailer:
The easiest puzzle since I started doing these about a year ago, for obvious reasons. But I applaud David and Jane for choosing this theme, especially during such a difficult time in our nation and the world.
What a perfect union of Acrostic and celebratory expression of our Nation’s founding. Thank you.
From filling in les ÉTATS UNIS, I saw what looked to be UNITED STATES and it flowed from there. I have chosen to celebrate our history and beginnings by continuing to appreciate our community. I support and volunteer at our Gardens of the Golden Gate where I work with people from all over. I was raised to welcome and help others. I sang “Give me your tired, your poor…” in 5th grade choir. People from many places and cultures have enriched my life. That’s how I mean to go on.
The 250th birthday for our country is a big deal, and I appreciate this acrostic for celebrating it. Despite the ceaseless efforts of you-know-who to make it all about him, it’s not, and we shouldn’t let him hijack the holiday. It belongs to all of us.
I guessed that today’s acrostic would have a (timely) patriotic theme, and so the puzzle unfolded rather more quickly than the norm. There was, nevertheless, plenty to like. My only minor stumble was trying Shea before realizing it was more likely ASHE. I got a kick out of the clue for ENDOWED and the fact that ENDOWED was positioned directly above CREATOR. In addition to the entries taken directly from the Declaration itself, other revolutionary tidbits such as OLD NORTH CHURCH, TEA PARTY, and LAFAYETTE were appreciated.
It was very thoughtful of you to do this, and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Many thanks for this commemoration of our 250th anniversary.. For further commemorations,
watch “250 to 250.” https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2dS6uX1RkUzLppeUrqtvApwnR6whO7I_
It is inspiring, historical and reminds us of our trials and tribulations, our successes, and our “works in progress.”
Many thanks for this commemoration of our 250th anniversary.. For further commemorations,
watch “250 to 250.” https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2dS6uX1RkUzLppeUrqtvApwnR6whO7I_
It is inspiring, historical and reminds us of our trials and tribulations, our successes, and our “works in progress.”