Thursday, August 21 @ 7:00 pm:  Join us for the first program in our special America 250 in Ridgefield: A Deep Dive into the Declaration of Independence series presented in collaboration with Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center.

British writer and historian Peter Moore will explore the trans-Atlantic origins of Thomas Jefferson’s fabled phrase, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” – perhaps the most famous line of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. Approaching a distinctly American ideal from a definitively British perspective, Moore will discuss the contributions of significant thinkers such as Samuel Johnson, Catharine Macaulay, John Wilkes and Benjamin Franklin.  

Moore teaches creative writing at the University of Oxford. He is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of Endeavour and The Weather Experiment, the latter of which was a New York Times “Notable Book of the Year.” His latest book, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Britain and the American Dream 1740-1776 was published in 2023.

Support for America 250 in Ridgefield: A Deep Dive into the Declaration of Independence is provided by CT Humanities as part of its America 250 CT program.  Additional promotional support provided by Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250.

Click here for more information and to register for this program. (This program will be held in Zoom; the Zoom link will be sent in your registration confirmation.)

Mark your calendar and save the date for upcoming America 250 programs! Download our America 250 in Ridgefield brochure or visit our Events Calendar here to learn more.