1776: How the Magnificent Seven made America great

The very same year that the Manchester Lit&Phil was founded in 1781, British troops surrendered to George Washington’s make-shift army in Yorktown, Virginia – and the United States of America was on its way to independence and future ‘greatness.’

Today, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary since Thomas Jefferson’s defiant Declaration of Independence in 1776, the world reflects on how and why that landmark moment was achieved, and who were the prime movers.

No doubt Donald Trump will claim the credit, even though his grandfather didn’t arrive until the late 19th Century from Bavaria, with his mother arriving from the Scottish isles in 1930.

Writer Lindsay Sutton believes that success was largely down to the influence and actions of those he calls ‘The Magnificent Seven.’ Individually, this disparate collection of individuals from across the Atlantic – one a radical British writer and thinker – made a huge contribution to ‘the cause’, seeking liberty and freedom from colonial rule.

Rather than be overly military with a ‘battle, battle, battle’ offering, Lindsay has opted for human interest stories about vital people who influenced the fight for independence from the British colonial yoke.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing [email protected]

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