By Kayla DeKraker
Actress, producer and director Kyra Sedgwick may be known for her work in television, but recently she revealed a fascinating fact about herself: an ancestor signed the Declaration of Independence.
The actress told the TODAY SHOW that she is a descendant of William Ellery, who signed the document that helped form our country.
“It means a lot. I mean, as an American, democracy means a lot to me,” she told TODAY of how she feels about the connection. “The Constitution means a lot to me, and you know, the Declaration of Independence is obviously what it’s based on.”
Ellery played an important role in the formation of America. He was born in 1727, attended Harvard and soon became involved with opposition towards the British policies within the colonies.
Upon signing the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, Ellery said, “I was determined to see how they all looked as they signed what might be their death warrant, I place myself beside the Secretary Charles Thomson and eyed each closely as he affixed each name to the document…Undaunted resolution was displayed in every countenance.”
Sedgwick is proud of her family’s history
“I just think that, you know it’s, it’s a great honor and responsibility,” she said. “I think William Ellery…he was a lawyer, he was amazing. I mean, you know, the original writers of that declaration were pretty extraordinary.”
Related: Disney to Salute America’s 250th with a 24-Hour Broadcast
Early American history is taking center stage as the country gets ready to celebrate its 250th anniversary this Independence Day, and various organizations are using the historic occasion to celebrate America’s freedoms.
The National Archives Museum will host a special exhibit titled “Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration” which will share the history behind the Declaration of Independence.
The exhibit features 40 original artifacts including “a 1763 Broadside of King George III’s ‘Instructions to the Governors of His Provinces in America,’ the Lee Resolution that proposed declaring independence, and the 1776 Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence — one of the first printed versions of the Declaration distributed to the colonies.”
In a statement, Capital Campaign Project Director for the National Archives Foundation Franck Cordes said,
“Every July 4th, when we celebrate the Declaration of Independence, is a reminder of how we started as a nation,” said Franck Cordes, Capital Campaign Project Director for the National Archives Foundatiom. “It also reminds us of how we have kept going as a nation, and how we have continually been inspired by the words of the Declaration — for this ongoing dialogue that we have — on what it means to be free and what it means to be American.”
Earlier this year, the America Reads the Bible event honored the United States’ faith-filled roots by reading the entire Bible over the course of a week.
“We believe the Word of God, simply read and listened to, can transform hearts, families, communities, and nations,” said Bunni Pounds, founder and president of Christians Engaged and the visionary behind the event. “We’re inviting Americans to listen or read aloud together in a powerful act of unity and faith for our 250th Birthday of America.”
Whether its historical connections or reflecting on the history that shaped our country, it’s an exciting time to celebrate 250 years of America.
Read Next: This Museum Celebrates 250 Years of Bible’s Influence on America
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