Hillsdale’s video on the formation of the army by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Courtesy | “Story of America ” website
Hillsdale’s “Story of America” video series, made in partnership with the White House to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, is continuing to roll out videos on the American Revolution featuring historians, federal officeholders, and Hillsdale professors.
“Americans deserve to learn about the heroes who lived and the battles we fought because they forged the greatest nation in human history — a Republic dedicated to the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in an email to The Collegian.
The series began after the White House’s Salute to America 250 Task Force and the U.S. Department of Education asked Hillsdale to help create a series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
Hegseth, who filmed a video titled “The Formation of the Army,” celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday in June, said the series is a change of course after historians have portrayed the country’s history as oppressive and shameful for decades.
In his video, Hegseth traced the Army’s story from its beginning in the spring of 1775 after the Massachusetts militia defeated British forces at the battles of Lexington and Concord.
“The formation of our Army is a testament to the power and enduring spirit of a people determined to secure their destiny of liberty,” Hegseth said in the video.
Historian Walter Borneman, who filmed a video on the Battle of Bunker Hill, told The Collegian American history has been a fascination of his since the third grade and that he hopes the videos continue to inspire the youth.
“We can’t plan for the future of our country without knowing where we have come from in the past,” Borneman said. “I hope this video series will provide that insight for younger generations.”
Associate Vice President for Curriculum David Whalen said the series is a worthy project that he hopes continues to get wider notice.
“The anniversary of the Declaration deserves honor and celebration, both of which depend on understanding something of its history and its place in the heart of the nation,” Whalen said. “Hillsdale is ideally poised to provide just this understanding.”
Whalen said helping to deepen the country’s appreciation for the Declaration can only strengthen what is admirable in the nation.
Hegseth said the series will set the record straight by debunking historical myths that have corroded American culture.
“The ‘Story of America’ series guides you through our greatest victories, our toughest trials, and the dreams we still pursue,” Hegseth said. “It’s about teaching every American — young and old — what makes this nation truly exceptional.”
