Re-enactments: History in Action

2020 Boston Massacre Reenactment 250th anniversary

CONCEPTS

Reenactment denotes the redoing, restaging or re-performing of an artistic performance—meaning a live act or action by a visual artist—and is as such distinct from the repetition of a theatrical performance, choreographed dance, or scored musical performance.

To enact is to do or make something, and to reenact is to do it again. A reenactment is the action of performing a new version of an old event, usually in a theatrical performance. If you're interested in history, you might enjoy watching a reenactment of a major battle or speech.

Scripted battles are reenactments in the strictest sense; the battles are planned out beforehand so that the companies and regiments make the same actions that were taken in the original battles. The mock battles are often "fought" at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar to the original. 

Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. With 5,000 reenactors, 200 horses and 70 cannons, this four-day weekend is the country's largest Civil War reenactment. 

Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield.

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QUESTIONS

1. After watching the video on the Boston Massacre, write your reaction to it?

2. In which way are reenactments important for the study of history?

3. How can you use reenactment as a tool to teach history to your students? Choose a reenactment you would like to use for your History lesson. Explain your choice.

4. Compare the concept of reenactment to the concept of performance. Can riots be reenacted? Explain.