“...’Centuries ago’ we were fighting real wars and nobody had the time, money or leisure to indulge in fantasies. It was those wars centuries ago that we are re-enacting.”
You’re only partly right.
In 1876, commemoration & celebration of the American Revolution with parades in 1770s uniforms, battle reenactments, and sundry events was a very big deal. And they didn’t even have replica muskets - they had to use real originals.
The 50th and 75th anniversaries (1913 and 1938) of the Battle of Gettysburg were the occasion for commemorations and reenactments. Surviving combatants of the original event attended; it became national news. Documentary and newsreel footage was filmed.
The biggest boost to reenacting was the Centennial of the American Civil War, creating an entire new industry, supplying arms, accouterments, uniforms, period-piece clothing, and whatnot to an eager and historically curious public.
It is not at all limited to us “gun-crazed Americans.” Brits and Euro types have done their own reenacting for years. War of the Roses, English Civil War, Waterloo are just a few of the better-known examples.
But you are completely correct in pointing out the historical precedence, and historical love, of citizens for such events and time periods. Long predates the Progressive Left, enforcers of the movement like Gov Hochul, and the nanny state so yearned for by its dupes.
Good info. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I was in fifth through eighth grades during the Civil War centennial and I recall it being a big thing.
The American Revolution centennial in 1876 was in the 19th century, so you could argue that was two centuries ago even though it was 146 years ago (counting whole centuries, not years).
I’m 71 now, so one’s perspective on “century” does change a bit.