The best PR campaign of the past 400 years

Everyone has memories of marching in their hometown parade, of lighting (or just watching) fireworks, enjoying the beginning of summer with family and friends. The day is filled with celebration, all because 56 men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to create a nation free from oppression.

You’re probably thinking: Here we go with another cliché “let’s not forget our Founding Fathers” mantra. I agree, too much of that splashes the front pages of different publications each year.

However, let’s put a different lens on this topic (naturally, from a communications standpoint). Could the Founding Fathers have been PR geniuses?

Let’s consider it: They held public prominence in their communities, earning them their positions in the Continental Congress. They forged an identity (or brand, if you will) for a new nation and created a public document addressed to the king of England that served not only to declare our independence, but also to energize others looking to change the political process in their own countries.

Pretty inspiring, right? Of course. It may also be one of the best public relations campaigns of the last 400 years.