Videos

English historian Peter Moore discussed the generation that preceded the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the influence of leading figures on the ideas that started the American…

Historian H.W. Brands talked about the political differences between founders Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. The James Madison Memorial Fellowship…

In part one of Books That Shaped America, an Arizona State University professor and a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces judge explored The Federalist, an 1788 collection of essays authored by…

Historian Lucas Morel argued that Abraham Lincoln was greatly influenced by his reading of documents and papers of the Founding Fathers. This program was part of the Lincoln Forum’s annual…

Historian Walter Isaacson talked about his biography of Benjamin Franklin and the Ken Burns documentary on Franklin for which he was a senior advisor. Mr. Isaacson was in discussion with…

Scott Stroh, the executive director of George Mason’s Gunston Hall, discussed how the Founding Fathers' Declaration of Rights influenced the Declaration of Independence and other…

Yale University Law and Political Science Professor Akhil Reed Amar recounted the biggest questions and concerns that American citizens had regarding the Constitution after it was ratified.…

University of Pittsburgh Professor Michael Meyer talked about his book, “Benjamin Franklin’s Last Bet: The Favorite Founder’s Divisive Death, Enduring Afterlife, and Blueprint for American…

Historian Kari Winter recounted the life of Jeffrey Brace, an enslaved man who won his freedom through his service during the Revolutionary War. Jeffrey Brace initially published his…

Historian H.W. Brands explored the conflicts between colonists during the American Revolution. This virtual program was part of the 2021 Miami Book Fair.

Historian and bestselling author Joseph Ellis looked at how the Founding Fathers can provide wisdom for navigating today’s society. The U.S. Capitol Historical Society hosted this online…

The Museum of the American Revolution hosted a discussion between exhibitions curator Matthew Skic and author James Hrdlicka about the museum’s special exhibition “Flags and Founding Documents,…

Mark Schneider, who has portrayed both the Marquis de Lafayette and Napoleon, talked about these two men and the connection between the French Revolution and the American Revolution. The…

Michael Harris discussed the 1777 Battle of Brandywine and misconceptions surrounding General John Sullivan’s role in the battle. The title of his book is, Brandywine: A Military History of…

National Park Service historian Mark Maloy talked about several myths surrounding the 1776 Battle of Trenton, including whether or not the Hessians, German mercenary soldiers, were really drunk…

Author John Rees talked about the experiences of African American Continental Soldiers. The Office of Historic Alexandria, in partnership with Emerging Revolutionary War, hosted a symposium…

University of New Hampshire Professor Eliga Gould delivered an address called “Making Peace in Britain, Ireland, and America: 1778 to 1783.” He described the efforts of several peace…

The panelists talked about Thomas Paine and his role in the Revolutionary War. They focused on Paine’s role as author, solider, and Founding Father. Following their prepared remarks they…

Edmund Morgan talked about his biography Benjamin Franklin, published by Yale University Press. Mr. Morgan explored the various contradictions in Franklin’s personality and the role he…

Charlene Bickford and Ken Bowling talked about their books Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress, 1789-1791, published by Madison House Publishers and Creating the Bill of Rights:…