Colonial Williamsburg ran a Super Bowl spot to promote tourism, showing major events in reverse like President Obama’s inauguration, the first flight and the race to space, reported USA TODAY. The ad, which aired in New York, Philadelphia and D.C., garnered a mixed reaction.

According to the USA TODAY report:

“During the commercial, the narrator says, “When you reflect upon our sacrifices, our breakthroughs and yes our heartbreaks…Where did our fight come from. Our strength. Our heart. Where did our spirit first take shape?”

“When he refers to heartbreaks, footage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks appears.

“The advertisement caused quite a stir Sunday night for showing Sept. 11, 2001.
“However, some people (said) the inclusion of 9/11 footage was “shameful” and “offensive.”

“Jo Straw, spokesperson for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, said in the days before the Super Bowl an extended online version of the advertisement was released on social media. Straw says that the ad garnered thousands of likes and positive reviews “within the hour.”

“”We understand and respect that some of the images depicted in the ad are jarring. However, the small data point of people who objected to some of the imagery in the ad does not represent the total viewership,” Straw said in a statement.”

We have other Super Bowl stories under Agency on the Capitol Communicator website.