Landmark moments in history are extremely rare. And when they happen, they are almost always missed at the time. Fortunately, one of the most important such moments can be relived: the struggle of the representatives of 13 British colonies in America for independence from the mother country 250 years ago.
The colonists' fight against the colonial power was already raging in Massachusetts when John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others met for the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Would they take that final step? The step into freedom?
DER SPIEGEL relies on support from its readers. To enjoy the rest of this story, please consider signing up for a subscription to The German View, our English-language channel on Substack. The article can be found here and our Substack channel can be found here . Alternatively, you can sign up for a SPIEGEL+ subscription below.
The second episode of the seven-part HBO series "John Adams" shows these debates in a cinematic landmark moment, perfectly staged and brilliantly acted, above all by Paul Giamatti as John Adams. Men in powdered wigs, knee breeches and frock coats argue fiercely over the right way forward. Some are faint of heart, shying away from the risk – especially since failure would bring death by hanging. Others are sick of being pushed around and demand a radical break.
