It's just American history

Before studying the Declaration of Independence this Tuesday, and hearing Professor Svelmo's (sp?) speech on the history of our founding fathers, I often approached American history with more than a little apprehension. European history is exotic, exciting...while American history seems mundane simply because the same subjects are stressed over and over again throughout an American's education.

However...I may give it another chance. The background of Thomas Jefferson's famous document holds SO much-his true background as a slave owner, his slightly arrogant attitude, his help from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. All of these facts were overlooked in my previous studies of the matter, but I really think they make the document more personable, if that even makes sense. Jefferson wasn't some ideological figure; he was extremely intelligent, yes, but he struggled the same battle between his ideals and his ability to follow them completely, just the same as present Americans. In the same way, Adams seemed to struggle with his own shortcomings in the HBO series. While these personal traits may seem inconsequential to some, I think they make our American history, and forefathers, something we can share, and even relate to 200 some years later.