What Were the Odds?

Daily writing prompt
What historical event fascinates you the most?

This coming November, on PBS, documentarian Ken Burns is releasing a six-part series chronicling the Revolutionary War. Ken Burns, as many know, has produced documentaries on the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, and numerous other subjects. Earlier this summer, Mr. Burns sat with Joe Rogan and discussed his Revolutionary War project. During the interview, Burns explained to Rogan why the odds of the thirteen original colonies—after signing the Declaration of Independence, stoking the ire of the crown, and losing the Battle of Lexington—emerging victorious was zero. Naturally, there were no entities such as Fan Duels or Draft Kings to set the odds. Nevertheless, I, for one, despite being a student of history, am fascinated to journey through an event that, arguably, marked the most stunning turn-around in human history. It’s no wonder why Americans, irrespective of the sport, root for the underdog.

I hesitated to write this post. Whenever America hiccups, half the world gushes with praise while the other half offers stinging rebukes. Two things can be right at the same time, as the hiccups and criticisms are all a matter of perspective. Moreover, that landmass nestled between Mexico and Canada only claimed to be the United States of America, not the United States of Perfection. She is far from perfect and doubtless always will be. Anyway, Happy Halloween!

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