Two hundred thirty-three years ago today, our founding fathers gathered in congress to put their names to a document which was considered no less than an act of treason. With their Declaration of Independence, those men courageously stepped forth and took destiny into their own hands, forming a new nation with liberty and justice for all:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In the immortal words of Benjamin Gates, "Here's to the men who did what they knew was wrong, in order to do what they knew was right."
Walt Disney had a tremendous sense of patriotism, evidenced in many of his films and the attractions he created for Disneyland. One early idea for that park never materialized, however. Liberty Street was imagined as an extension of Main Street, U.S.A., where park Guests could step back to Colonial times and enjoy attractions such as a Hall of Presidents, featuring life-size wax figures of all the Commanders in Chief.
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Liberty Street at Disneyland was not to be, but when it came time to make plans for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the idea surfaced once again. The Bicentennial of the United States was fast approaching and with it a renewed interest in American history. Disney hoped to capitalize on that excitement with the addition of Liberty Square to the park.
Today, the Magic Kingdom is the only Disney Park to include Liberty Square. In celebration of Independence Day, let's take a look this week at some of the stories and details to be found there.