An Original Short Film by Hillsdale College

[@treyjohnson2626]

I’m 70 years old, and I still find hard to believe that we not only were blessed to have this level of leadership available, these patriots were actually able to win their independence from the greatest military force in the world. Happy Birthday, USA! 🔥🙏

[@randyvalentine8393]

Because God was with them !

[@Sundayschoolnetwork]

Truly divine!

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

And we should never forget every drop of blood that was spilt for us to enjoy those "FREEDOMS" to this day. ALL GLORY TO GOD. AMEN!

[@mafirearmsafety]

France was a huge reason why.

[@matthewghardy]

Hillsdale is now our most important American educational institution.

[@ILikeFreedomYo]

I agree. I only wish I knew about it when I was fresh out of highschool. Luckily we have the online courses.

[@matthewghardy]

@@ILikeFreedomYo The online lectures are a precious gift to American culture.

[@fmyles3]

Not "Now", it has been you just weren't told by the media.

[@tomjefferson2024]

Hillsdale College is One of The Last and Best Real American Institutions.

[@johnowens5342]

Every morning my sons and I as men of the house read a chapter from Proverbs and Talk about it, then we do a Hilldale class online and we end with 30 mins of exercises. They are 13 and 15 but my hope is to prepare them for Hillsdale one day.

[@bmbutler2]

You are doing a great job. Thank you

[@matthewvelazquez2013]

As a Catholic myself: "Behold, I will send you Eli′jah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse." Your fatherhood is true...Truly - May God Bless You, And Keep You.

[@danastrickler4235]

Perfect❤

[@bearowen5480]

God speed to you and your incredibly fortunate sons. You physically are but frail wisps of staw against the cultural hurricane of chaos and evil sweeping through our country and the whole of Western Civilization. Nevertheless, history has so far proven that it is men like you, with faith and moral courage who like Thomas Jefferson and the other Founders, who have changed the great courses of human events. No matter how dismal the prospects facing us appear to be, do not surrender to the feral dogs of disorder and anarchy. Put your faith in the Torah and the Gospels, and never give in to the forces of evil that confront us. The Declaration and the Constitution, written by Divinely inspired men, created the United States, which remains the shining hope of humanity. As an American combat veteran, I salute you for your faith and patriotism as we celebrate the anniversary of our Founding. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

[@boldfaith777]

Proverbs is the guide to life from God. Nice way to keep your family and guide the faith of young men. My sons are now 20 and 22 and showing them how to walk in life when they are young has a lasting impression. Be kept.

[@katylake212]

And Jefferson died hours before his fellow Declaration of Independence signer, and another former president, John Adams passed away. They both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration, and presumably, they renewed their acquaintance in heaven. Thank them, and God bless them both.

[@talithakoum3922]

Jefferson and Adams had actually become friends again shortly before their deaths, and kept up an amazing correspondence. Adams' last words were "Thomas Jefferson still lives," not knowing that Jefferson had passed on earlier that day. Their memory will live forever. 🇺🇲✝️🕊️

[@ClintK.]

God held them in reserve and raised them up for this specific assignment to bless the world. May we do them and God honor by defending theirs and our legacy.

[@timp6858]

That last part is questionable, considering Jefferson was a deist, and the Jefferson Bible removed mentioned of Jesus’ resurrection and passages that portray Him as devine.

[@talithakoum3922]

@@timp6858 Jefferson took out those passages because he was trying to prove that the Bible was the definitive guide to morality even without miraculous events. I would never recommend "editing" the Scripture, but I get the point he was trying to make. The man was not the radical secularist he has been portrayed as.

[@carolluther1625]

​@@timp6858And just maybe he changed his mind as he aged... Maybe with all that he faced with the founding of the country, and his life struggles, he had an encounter with God. I cannot fathom what they all went through. Some lost all, he filed bankruptcy. His wife died. I am just thankful for what these men did.

[@bmbutler2]

We must not forget what these men and those who served and died since is not lost in vain.

[@ralphthompson328]

Thank GOD for men like Thomas Jefferson.......Prayers for the finding of such a man, TODAY 2024 July 4th........AMEN !

[@daveaz9962]

Thomas Jefferson was an honorable man. I only wish he had been a Christian.

[@nolangillentine773]

If a man like him were presented to the American people today, they would not only reject him, but they would vilify and destroy him for daring to question the gods that they worship. Both "sides" of our political aristocracy would be threatened by such an honest and thoughtful person, and their blind followers would happily eliminate him based on the twisted words from their leaders or from some social media demigod that they are obsessed with.

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

Please, don't believe propaganda lies & distractions . . . I happen to believe every one of them were living their lives closer to God than many of us are today - even if we think we are . . . humm !!!

[@nolangillentine773]

@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181 No, I think he's right. History is pretty clear that Jefferson and Franklin were both diests (they believed in a god or higher power) but their letters and much of what they both wrote indicated their lack of faith in Jesus being that God. Their political knowledge and overall understanding of the world was exceptional, no doubt and I believe that there are a lot of lessons we can learn from them both, but I do not believe that either of them had accepted Christ as their Lord.

[@tomjefferson2024]

@@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181 Amen to that 🙏

[@paulkandarian6786]

As the actor lucky enough to have been cast to play this extraordinary American icon and do the narration as well, I'm so proud of how well this turned out and a HUGE shout out to Distant Moon Media for their skills in making this such a beautiful piece of work!

[@DistantMoonStudio]

You were amazing to work with Paul! Thank you for bringing Thomas Jefferson to life!

[@KevinPDunn]

A+ Really well done. Thank you for making this.

[@rayhughel1508]

Thank you sir! So much of acting is not in what is said but is instead how the message is emoted without the spoken word. You did that very, very well!

[@richarddickerson4774]

Great little movie❤❤❤

[@paulkandarian6786]

@@DistantMoonStudio My pleasure, let's do more good stuff!

[@kevinmorris7722]

Hillsdale is about education.... Few have been brave enough to resist the money from feds and retain the institution. Thank you to everyone who has made Hillsdale what it. has become. And thank you for sharing so much information with the public. It's a true treasure of a blessing.

[@mikedawson1376]

GOD bless America! Keep your powder dry boys.

[@kevinharms7578]

... always .

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

And knives sharp

[@corpnupe85]

😇🙏

[@GMEOK]

I got chills. What great sacrifices these men and women made for this country. What nerves of steel!

[@JohnMc1776]

“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”

[@johnmollet2637]

Let us also not forget that John Adams passed on the same day.

[@debbiestyer453]

Yes

[@pamelag.00]

It was remarkable indeed.

[@thomashermann2785]

His last word were said to be: “Jefferson lives”

[@johnmollet2637]

@@thomashermann2785 I don't recall if I knew that, THANKS!

[@johnmollet2637]

@@pamelag.00 Right, what were the odds?

[@j.d.fluekiger1498]

Great that Jefferson and Adams reconciled before his death.

[@marymagmartha7453]

Before the final seconds expired, I had to Immediately watch this rendering again. When it began, so many thoughts ran through my mind. Even though my ancestors were undoubtedly still shackled in Slavery~ either there or here, the “Shift” that happened within each of those God~led months ending less than five months later, were done just for me! God knew Me from before my Mother’s womb knowing that their little Girl 👧🏾 would be Born Free from tyranny and from physical slavery🙏🏾 What I choose to do with that Freedom that would begin One Hundred and Seventy-five years later was entirely up to me. What I Decree is entirely up to me ~ the “Shackles” were Never around my ankles or my mind; I have no excuse. And for that I am truly Grateful that Men and Boys that never knew me, answered the Call and fought hard and strong, For Me‼️ This short Documentary was Beautifully done, from Concept to Final editing. It lingers in the Mind.

[@ginareina5319]

Well said!❤

[@Scarfire1977]

❤️🇺🇲❤️

[@rayhughel1508]

So very well stated indeed…

[@michellew8639]

Beautifully said, thank you!

[@lynnchelewski2965]

Thnks to Hillsdale College staff and Larry Arnn for all you do. Great, short film. We love the free online classes and have taken a number of them. Institutions like Hillsdale are the last bastions of defense for this beleaguered nation. God bless you all and the people who support you.

[@williamgonzalaez229]

We need our children to come to this college and no other

[@carolbartlow6687]

May God have mercy on this nation.😢

[@jac01kiet74]

Excellent. Absolutely true and even then he knew what we are facing. God bless our beautiful country. Pray. 🙏🏻

[@kevinharms7578]

This film is needed now, more than ever, as our Country has veered so far from its original design, I say this with heavy heart , the enemy is from within.

[@karenlong4817]

Thank God for Hillsdale College. I'm looking forward to watching it. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@andrew5689]

John adams and Thomas jefferson, massive political rivals for decades during their younger years. pen pals, and close friends during their retired years, both died july 4th, 1826, and the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which both of them worked closely together in writing.

[@patwieferich3541]

Why can't we have leaders like this anymore 😢

[@johnwesley256]

The rotten apples spoil the rest. Look at the Jack McLamb story. It is repeated all over the US

[@ksineasttexas]

I believe we could if we would stop voting for people who promise to give us something in return for our vote. Instead, tell us how they will continue to look for ways to keep our country fair and just for all people. To protect our Constitution and stop allowing the administrative branch to make laws. May God have mercy on us and give us the strength to overcome those that would destroy our nation. ❤

[@addiroids]

Because AIPAC chooses them, not us

[@kateruterbories2692]

Many are waiting for us to be them.

[@User-4-mn3or]

They are so corrupted by money. And they have no morals or integrity.

[@Gg-rssystG8]

Thank you. Hillsdale.

[@scotthawkins8707]

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[@seanalix9737]

That was excellent. Thank you for producing this. May God grant a spiritual awakening to America so that we as a nation would turn back to Him and bless Him as a people once again.

[@Scarfire1977]

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

[@dianacunningham6984]

Thank you all, at Hillsdale Colledge.

[@bluespruce679]

Thank you for this excellent film reenacting a powerful time in our once-great nation's history. It grieves my heart to be a witness to the decline of this nation we call, The United States of America. This is what happens when a country turns away from the Living God of Israel, the King and Creator of the universe. America lost her moral compass many years ago, and we are a witness to the decline and fall of this once-mighty nation. There is an ocean of innocent blood shed in the cruel murder of millions of our precious children, who will never be born, and live to see the beautiful creation of God, to be loved and to love, to play, to laugh and grow up into responsible, young adults, who will bear precious children of their own. The Lord has every reason to pronounce judgement upon this fallen nation. And so be it. But, thank you for showing to us a glimpse of what once was, and the high ideals that can be achieved by the grace and mercy of our Sovereign Lord. May our Lord Most High bless and keep my favorite college the shining light of truth that it is. Long live Hillsdale! And pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 💜💙🕊💙💜🇮🇱✡️✝️🇮🇱💜💙🕊💙💜

[@j.d.fluekiger1498]

Awesome! A great tool to teach kids history. Short enough to hold their attention and spark curiosity. Looking forward to more like this.

[@GodsSparrowSpeaks]

🙏🏼📖🕊 🙏🏼📜🇺🇸 IF MY People Called by MY Name Shall HUMBLE THEMSELVES And PRAY And SEEK My Face And TURN From THEIR WICKED ways THEN I WILL HEAR from Heaven And FORGIVE THEIR sins AND HEAL THEIR LAND 🙏🏼🇺🇸🙏🏼 2nd Chronicles 7:14

[@JaToriaV]

Thank you , Hillsdale College. A very moving short film. A reminder that We the People need so desperately to remember who we are. Especially in these dark times.

[@erichankins7695]

Beautiful film. Thank you.

[@Envision2028]

Well done Hillsdale College. When we're overwhelmed with the current state of affairs, it's absolutely imperative to stop, take a breath and get back to basics. We can't demand civility and clear-headedness from our trusted servants, if we ourselves don't already possess it.

[@ksineasttexas]

That is so true. Our nation is not just our government officials it is all of us who vote them in, and we should choose people who believe in our nation. We are unique... all people are equal

[@Envision2028]

@@ksineasttexas 🇺🇲🙏⭐ Absolutely. Thanks for commenting.!

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

So we got here in this messed up situation by fellow citzens

[@ksineasttexas]

​@GaryBlankenship96b40 In my honest opinion, we got here because a large number of our citizens have been voting for the person who offers them hand outs in the form of government programs that don't give them skills to better their position just a check big enough to keep them where they are currently. Don't get me wrong, it's not totally their fault. They probably learned this while growing up. For example, I was raised to never ask the government to fix or help me when I had a problem. I was told to come to my family. Life is hard and sometimes it knocks you down hard. If it's hard to get up you reach out to the ones that care the most about you. The government does care about you like your family. 🙂❤️

[@Envision2028]

I strongly believe that the state of our Union, Republic, Democracy, Country is the result of thousands of situations, decisions, policies, natural disasters and events that are out of America's control but still affect us in an economic fashion. Bottom line, I'd love to see laws and bills created outside Washington, in an unbiased / nonpartisan environment. Then sent to Washington for review and passage. The (other) inescapable truth outside the elephant in the room, is our lawmakers better start learning to work closer together..... no matter who's in office.

[@Kate-wu9if]

Ty Hillsdale College! I didn't realize T.Jefferson passed on July 4th..50 yrs to the exact day of Independence

[@Bad.Pappy.Official]

Scholars. Gentlemen. Revolutionaries.

[@lavettamoff7883]

Looking forward to it.

[@melonymeeks2844]

A remarkable and magnificent presentation. I cried with T. H. Jefferson. I felt the weight of the Declaration and mourn for the kind of men it took to think it into reality. Truly, the finest work of modern man, following the Lord, submitting their very lives as testimony. God Blessed America.

[@robr1656]

Thank you for this.

[@debbiestyer453]

Beautiful

[@sharondrury5676]

Thank you. 🇺🇸

[@laurieshouse]

What woundrous love is this, oh my soul.

[@SwornReaper]

I cry out to those past founding fathers souls...America, she now needs you more than ever!!

[@toninobologny]

Bravo 😢

[@ralphlee6386]

Magnificent! Thank you

[@gvgv45]

More of this please.

[@TheArcturusProject]

Reading this out loud should be mandatory at every Independence Day celebration

[@terriealexander2344]

we are so far from home . as a people

[@paulharrold]

In these times of great peril for Our Nation , We need Patriots much like Jefferson to Step forward once more to Save Our Republic ! Heed Franklin's words . Great short just Great !

[@oldbakedpotato]

A momentous message, beautifully filmed.

[@HuckleBerry476]

Wow! Great short film! Would love to see a full modern rendition of the Revolutionary War

[@nolangillentine773]

I can not express to you all at Hillsdale how much I appreciate what you do to share your understanding of liberty and freedom. Thank you all.

[@debbieramsey-hanks3757]

Steadfast and true

[@maggirae1961]

Lovely and so well done

[@bmbutler2]

Listen to Randall Thompson's "Testament of Freedom." Thompson took the words of Thomas Jefferson and put them to music. Wonderful work

[@johnwesley256]

Will do.

[@johnwesley256]

Just listened to it... 😖. Not my type of "music". I'll stick with Poor Man's Poison

[@lawnmowerchoke_9038]

I love the content Hillsdale is producing.

[@timmothy58]

robot closed captions are useless...however...thank thank you so so much for this wonderful glimpse of one of our truly amazing fathers...of which there were many...and equally valuable...they knew they were doing something that had never never been done...love them...love you...

[@stevenverdoliva6217]

Excellent. Bravo.👏👏👏

[@twentysecondcenturywoman]

God this was beautiful. I couldn’t help but cry. Thank you

[@hannalu3494]

America is the light upon the hill 🇺🇸

[@michelledabundo765]

Very impactful

[@patriciau6277]

The history of America is by far my favorite. ❤God Bless America!

[@drewby613]

Thank you for this tribute. “Sacred honor”: two words that seem foreign in our debauched society. Yet may they be reclaimed, with God’s help.

[@mudnducs]

You do our Blessed country a necessary good by reaffirming our moral purpose Hillsdale. Thank you, from the mountains of East Tennessee

[@rickhao9665]

Anchorage, AK ....Another example of 'forwarding-thinking' with an EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOCUS , SKILL, & TALENT.....HILLSDALE COLLEGE.. 🇱🇷

[@bigsmith6240]

Wonderfully done, Hillsdale, wonderfully done. Thank you,

[@user-ot3xl6zo8l]

Thank you President Arn and all of Hillsdale. My most admired college of all. God Bless America.

[@fisheryang479]

Fisher Yang, Pastor. The Puritans Church And The Bible House, Speaker. Thank You Hillsdale College And Mr. Larry P. Arnold, President!!!

[@JohnFergusonjohnalbertferguson]

responsibility and accountability the balance of liberty bestowed on us, as 248 years have past since the founding and 198 yrs since the laying to rest of 2 great men, who pledged their lives, their property, their wealth to a cause we now enjoy. For how long we enjoy these freedoms, is up to us. The mantel has been passed from Generation to Generation, we can not trade comfort and convince for our freedom any longer. We are once again at a moment in time that calls out to those who will answer the call .Hillsdale College keeps the light shining bright for all to see, so that the knowledge gained at such a great price is not forgotten. Thank You Hillsdale

[@libertyhawq1766]

Excellent film:! Thank God for our Founders and for Hillsdale!

[@jonathanzappala]

Excellent

[@georgiakritikos4955]

A+❤HILLSDALE COLLEGE

[@georgiakritikos4955]

Not EVERYTHING is ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY & it's showing 🎬21ST-CENTURY

[@georgiakritikos4955]

Fahad said in the 90's that- the computer was to control people/>> on the dance Floor _but❤I think as we $peaK/>> it's to spill the beans, excellent work Americans KEEP ON 👍A+

[@jonathanwilliams7161]

Wow! 🤯 What an amazing film! Great job capturing the "essence" and the "Esprit de Corp" of the founding fathers! ❤️

[@pbj1984]

Beautiful and moving, and so well-done, thank you!

[@MatthiasPowerbomb]

God bless America

[@donnamarsh3474]

Outstanding short film!

[@maureenparran8918]

Thank you for a wonderful video and a reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedoms.

[@glenndower2513]

Wow. I have never heard of Jefferson's last letter. And I find his last words as powerful and the Declaration itself. I am especially impressed by his last written words:"...mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs nor a favored few booted and spurred ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of God. These are grounds of Hope for others. Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our Recollections of these rights in an undiminished devotion to them." And I take these words "Let the annual return of this day forever refresh our Recollections of these rights in an undiminished devotion to them." as a warning from Jefferson to me.

[@NameL3ss71]

A upmost respected and iconic institution no doubt

[@carolynnr.6409]

Thomas Jefferson must have a young man when he took part in the this country's infancy.

[@plantfeeder6677]

Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he penned our founding document. Living to 83 yo was a rare feat in 1826. Amazingly, John Adams, 2nd President of the U.S. and original signer of the DoI, died the very same day as TJ at 90 yo.

[@carolynnr.6409]

@@plantfeeder6677 Adams was an England fan and Jefferson was a France fan. They were long time rivals. I believe they reconciled shortly before they died.

[@plantfeeder6677]

​@@carolynnr.6409yes and Adams didn't much care for the decadence of the French. The biggest French fan was Franklin though.

[@Mitchell7]

Hilldale College THANK YOU. Colonel Gregory Paul Pischea USMC Ret My G,G,G, G, Great grandfather grew up with and served with General/President Washington..

[@mafirearmsafety]

He was brilliant to the very end. My grandfather was born July 4th 1889.

[@katiemynette4285]

❤ HILLSDALE COLLEGE. I really appreciated this film on THOMAS JEFFERSON, because I have read about him, and I admire him. Did you know he played the violin? KATIE ❤️ KENTUCKY!

[@rabidtarg]

I feel like "Last Days of a Revolutionary" should be the title of the video, rather than just "An Original Short Film". Helps people want to watch it and know what they're looking at.

[@uriah-s97]

Brings a tear to hear it read so beautifully.

[@paulwuthrich]

Beautiful. Looking awesome Paul Kandarian! Good to see you!

[@30AndHatingIt]

Long ago, as a child, I knew in my heart what this country meant and what it was supposed to be. I swore my lifelong allegiance to the Founding Fathers and the Greatest Generation. Those two groups were the pinnacle of our experience and existence, enshrined not only in history, but also my heart. We’re fading now, and both groups would weep if they saw what we have become… but the fire still burns in some of us. I just hope there are enough of us when that horrendous moment we all know is coming finally arrives. Good luck to you all.

[@sawyeranderson1394]

Really really well done. I've deeply appreciated Hillsdale's amazing work for our country.

[@kagnew6768]

God, continue to bless America 🇺🇸

[@laurelsternberg5861]

God bless America, from an expat in Israel.

[@jonathanprovost7972]

❤ I LOVE Hillsdale College Happy Fouth of July.

[@bbikermama]

Beautifully done. Thank you Hillsdale!!

[@DG-ql7ji]

Kindness, tolerance, geniality, duty, service, respect, and honor. We are forgetting these as a nation. But, it is not too late to acquire these traits and be better to ourselves and others.

[@jeffkercheval4010]

A wise man, a great man among his peers. As a scientist myself, I hold him in high regard to this day, along with George Washington. If not for these men, there would be no United States.

[@dontownsend8093]

Thank you Lord for men like Thomas Jefferson and others. We are able to celebrate the 4th of July and our freedom! We have no such men leading us now!! We must get back to the American way of life!!

[@miketamborski4248]

Beautiful!

[@AmericaFirstLastGlimmerOfLight]

👍🏼🙏🏼👍🏼

[@cnyphotovideo]

Well done Hillsdale. May God bless our nation!

[@abrahamgarcia2614]

God bless America 😢

[@tinoslaponi8514]

Thomas Jefferson was always my favorite President & Founding Father.

[@jgonzalez101]

Great short film of such importance and significance, especially for us today! Thank you Hillsdale for making and posting it. May God Almighty continue to bless, use and protect you all!