Aaron Burr served as the third Vice President of the United States from 1801-1805. His political rivalry with Founding Father Alexander Hamilton is legendary. While still serving as Vice President, Burr intended to run for governor of the State of New York. Hamilton spoke out vehemently against Burr’s suitability for the position. Burr, for his part, challenged Hamilton to a duel and killed him. The tragic event ended Burr’s political career and he later died in relative obscurity in the state he once sought to govern.
The story sounds like it would make an interesting movie. In fact, there is currently a Tony Award-winning Broadway show based on these events entitled, “Hamilton: An American Musical.” Most Americans perhaps know it better today for the recent confrontation that happened immediately after a performance on November 19. One of the members of the cast seized the opportunity to “call out” Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who was in attendance that night with his family. The lead actor appealed to Pence for awareness of cultural diversity and a mutual respect for the inalienable rights of all Americans.
Ironically, the actor offering the speech had played lethal Vice President Aaron Burr in the musical. More ironic still, though, was the fact that Pence’s reaction was as noble as it was underreported. When asked what he thought of being singled out by the cast, Pence calmly replied, “I wasn’t offended.” When his presence in the theater that evening was met by some cheers and many jeers, he turned to his daughter and explained, “That’s what freedom sounds like.”
