Created Equal: An American Ideal on Screen

In the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, generations of Americans have been inspired by this powerful expression of the nation’s founding ideals. Through the stories of figures ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Harvey Milk and the fictional Atticus Finch, discover how Thomas Jefferson’s famous words have served as a rallying cry in the ongoing struggle for equality. Screenings include:

September 12: Lincoln (2012)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this gritty historical drama follows Abraham Lincoln (played by Daniel Day Lewis) in the tumultuous final four months of his life. As the Civil War rages on, Lincoln works tirelessly to end the war, abolish slavery and unite the country.

October 10: Milk (2008)

Based on the inspiring true story of Harvey Milk, this biographical drama follows a charismatic gay rights activist who becomes the first openly LGBTQ+ politician to be elected to public office in California. Starring Sean Penn, the film chronicles Milk's rise as a grassroots political figure in San Francisco’s Castro District, cut short by his tragic assassination in 1978.

November 22: To Kill a Mockingbird (1963)

Adapted from the beloved novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird stars Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, a small-town Alabama lawyer who defends a Black man falsely accused of rape. This Depression-era story of racial injustice and the loss of childhood innocence is told through the eyes of Finch’s daughter, Scout.

The Portrait Gallery strives to provide programs that are accessible to all visitors. If you have questions about the accessibility of this program, or if you would like to request real-time captioning (CART), sign language interpretation, or any other accommodations, please contact npgeducation@si.edu. Two weeks' advance notice is appreciated for requesting accommodations.

Image Credit: Abraham Lincoln by Alexander Gardner, 1865. Albumen silver print. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Havery Milk by Daniel Nicoletta, c. 1977. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. © Daniel Nicoletta. Greogry Peck by Everett Raymond Kinstler, 199. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Gift of Everett Raymond Kinstler. © Everett Raymond Kinstler