American Revolution

As America marks its 250th anniversary, few historians have done more to shape the way we understand the nation's founding than Ron Chernow. The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer has brought towering figures to life through acclaimed books on George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Ulysses S. Grant, and more recently, Mark Twain. In 1876, as the United States marked its centennial amid lingering divisions from the Civil War, Philadelphia hosted a world’s fair unlike any the nation had ever seen. In 'Centennial: The Great Fair of 1876 and the Invention of America’s Future,' historian Fergus Bordewich explores how that six-month exposition introduced millions of Americans to transformative new technologies, global cultures, and a vision of modern progress.

In 'Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence,' Robert Parkinson argues that the document’s often-overlooked list of grievances against King George III reveals what truly drove the Revolution and why independence became inevitable.Annette Gordon-Reed is a 'New York Times'–bestselling historian and the Carl M. Loeb University Professor at Harvard University. Her books include 'The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family,' which won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award and 'Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.' Her latest is a volume she edited, 'Jefferson on Race: A Reader.'

Historian Michael Auslin joins us to discuss his new book, 'National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America.' Rather than viewing the Declaration as a relic of the past, Auslin argues that it remains the nation's defining document—one whose ideals have inspired generations of Americans while continuing to spark debate about the country's promise and purpose.

H.W. Brands new book, 'American Patriarch,' turns to the nation's first president, George Washington. Rather than treating Washington as an untouchable icon, Brands explores the ambition, discipline, and restraint that shaped both the man and the new republic.Award-winning historian Rick Atkinson has spent decades bringing pivotal moments in American history to life through richly researched, compelling narrative. His latest book, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777–1780, is the second volume of his acclaimed Revolution Trilogy, chronicling the critical middle years of the American Revolution as George Washington's army struggles to survive and the fight for independence hangs in the balance.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, New York announced an 18-month-long exhibit dedicated to the war that gained that independence.

Award-winning author and historian Jack Kelly joins us to discuss his latest book. A tribute to the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, “Tom Paine’s War” is a riveting exploration of our nation’s birth, and a story of the power of words.

Henry Knox was 25 years old when he led the “noble train of artillery” in the winter of 1775, moving 60 tons of cannons and armaments from the present day Adirondacks to Continental Army camps outside Boston. As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution approaches, educators from Fort Ticonderoga, where Knox began his trek, are visiting schools throughout the Northeast to give students a chance to see the history that happened in their own backyards.

With the 250 Anniversary of the start of the American Revolution coming up next summer, some communities in Vermont are working to preserve that history through interactive exhibits. Several nonprofits in Vermont issued nearly $63,000 in grants last week to ensure those projects are viable.

In celebration of New York State History and Archives Month, this episode follows the trail of the Marquis de Lafayette, the orphaned member of one of France’s oldest and wealthiest families who became a trusted confident and military leader for George Washington during the American Revolution. 50 years later, Lafayette returned to the young United States traveled to every state in existence at the time and was greeted by huge crowds as a living symbol of the Founding Generation.

(Airs 07/11/25 @ 10 p.m.) The Legislative Gazette is a weekly program about New York State Government and politics. On this week’s Gazette: The federal tax and spending bill signed last week by President Trump will blow a $3 billion hole in the state budget, disabled advocates say what worries them most about coming cuts to Medicaid is what they don’t know yet, and rural hospitals in New York are brace for the impact of cuts from the so-called Big, Beautiful Bill.