Thousands of colonists rejected the War for American Independence and many fled to the British stronghold of New York City. San Jose State University History Professor Ruma Chopra discusses the situation in the city and the perspective of those who looked upon the British as natural allies in religion, language and blood and thought the violence of rebellion was unnecessary and unlawful.

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In January 1776, Thomas Pain published “Common Sense”, which expressed his arguments for American independence.  The work and its ideas proved to be extremely influential. From the New Rochelle Public Library in New Rochelle, New York, a discussion on Thomas Paine and his role in the American Revolution as an author, soldier and founding father.

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Each week American Artifacts takes viewers into archives, museums and historic sites around the country.The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, is an independent research library founded in 1812 by Revolutionary War patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas. The library's holdings include more than four million items, and its collection of American printed materials prior to 1825 is the most extensive in the world. Next, a look at selected items from the American Revolutionary period. 

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David Cowen talks about Haym Salomon, a Jewish-American Revolutionary War Financier. Mr. Cowen is the President and CEO of the Museum of American Finance in New York City and co-authored the book, “Financial Founding Fathers: The Men Who Made America Rich.” Cowen discusses the legacy, life, and myths of Haym Salomon. The Museum of American Finance hosted this event.

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History professor John Thomas Scott discusses the American colonial resistance movement that evolved into the American Revolution. Professor Scott examines the growing tensions between Britain and the American colonies in late 1760s and early 1770s, as Britain attempted to retain control of the colonies. This class took place at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

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This Fourth of July weekend American History TV is examining the lives and accomplishments of America’s Founders.

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The Texas Revolution was an armed conflict fought from October 1835 to April 1836 between Mexico and U.S. settlers in the territory of Texas. Author Gregg Dimmick discusses the use of archaeological evidence to explore the story of the Mexican retreat across Texas at the end of the revolution.

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This June marks the 50th Anniversary of two of President John F. Kennedy’s most memorable speeches. On June 10th 1963, JFK delivered the commencement address at American University known as his “Peace Speech.” He called for high-level negotiations with the Soviet Union, a nuclear test ban treaty and an end to the Cold War.  On June 26th 1963, President Kennedy took a harder line in West Berlin, famously stating that as a free man he took pride in the words “Ich bin ein Berliner.” This is a discussion from the Kennedy Presidential Library about the significance and lasting influence of these two addresses.

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The Battle of Gettysburg took place July 1-3, 1863, in Pennsylvania, as Union forces turned back an invasion of the North by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Union victory inspired President Abraham Lincoln to call for “a new birth of freedom” in his address a few months later dedicating the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg. C-SPAN's American History TV was LIVE on June 30 from Gettysburg National Military Park covering events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the battle, including remarks by scholars such as Harold Holzer, Allen Guelzo, and Doris Kearns Goodwin, as well as your calls and tweets for Civil War Institute Director Peter Carmichael and novelist Jeff Shaara.

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