The American Revolution

The American Revolution is a series of sketches on Sesame Street for season 18 about the political upheaval that took place in America during the last quarter of the 1700s. They are perhaps best described by the segments' narrator, Marty Robinson:

“The American Revolution -- a mini series starring all your friends from Sesame Street telling the story of how the United States of America was born... more or less.”

A similar sketch was produced for the Sesame Street News Flash about the Boston Tea Party.

The Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson has trouble getting a replacement quill to finish the Declaration when Mr. Grover misinterprets what he needs, bringing a drill, and a chicken named Phil.

Cast

• Don Music as Thomas Jefferson
• Grover as Mr. Grover
• Phil (a chicken)

Releases

• Sesamestreet.org Template:SSvideo
• Hulu Template:Hulu
• YouTube (YouTube)

Crossing the Delaware

It's Christmas Eve, 1776. George Washington and his men are preparing to cross the Delaware river, when Grover shows up with a bundle of balloons, noisemakers and streamers, since he heard this is the day they planned to "surprise the British." Washington explains that the colonists are fed up with the British always telling them what to do, and that his team intends to create their own country, and cross the Delaware to surprise the British in a different way: since it's Christmas Eve, the British have the day off, so they won't be expecting an attack. The river-borne patriots briefly pose for a famous painting, which Grover wanted to be a part of, but he literally "missed the boat."

Cast

• Orange Gold Anything Muppet as George Washington (Jim Henson)
• Pumpkin Anything Muppet as John (Richard Hunt)
• Lavender Anything Muppet as Patrick (David Rudman)
• Green Anything Muppet as William (Martin P. Robinson)
• Fat Blue Anything Muppet as an unnamed soldier
• Grover as himself

Releases

• Sesamestreet.org Template:SSvideo
• Hulu Template:Hulu
• YouTube (YouTube)

The National Bird

The founding fathers argue over what bird should be chosen as the national bird.

Cast

• Herry Monster as John Hancock (implied but not stated; moderator, addressed as "Mr. Speaker")
• Telly Monster as Ben Franklin (Turkey Supporter)
• Bert as Thomas Jefferson (Pigeon Supporter)
• Ernie as John Adams (Bald Eagle Supporter)
• Oscar the Grouch as an unnamed founding father (Cockatoo Supporter)
• Elmo as an unnamed founding father
• Big Bird as himself

The segment was shot on January 27, 1987 and directed by Jon Stone.

Releases

• Sesamestreet.org Template:SSvideo
• Hulu Template:Hulu
• YouTube (YouTube)

Videos

Video:Sesame Street Surprising the British

Crossing the Delaware

Video:Sesame Street The National Bird

The National Bird

Video:Sesame Street Thomas Jefferson Needs a Quill

The Declaration of Independence

See also

• I Love Liberty