History Matters

On July 2, 1776, while delegates in Philadelphia were voting to declare the American colonies free and independent from Great Britain, another event of enormous importance was unfolding nearly one hundred miles away. In New York Harbor, the first ships of a massive British invasion fleet began to arrive. While […]

One reason the Declaration of Independence has remained one of history’s greatest political documents is its remarkable wording. Thomas Jefferson did not simply write a list of complaints against King George III. He carefully chose words that expressed universal principles of liberty and human rights—principles that could inspire people far […]

Listen to this article:Your browser does not support the audio element.0:000:00When the Continental Congress decided in June 1776 that the American colonies should become independent from Great Britain, the delegates faced an important task: explaining to the world why they were breaking away from the British Empire. To do that, […]

Listen to this article:Your browser does not support the audio element.0:000:00As June of 1776 unfolded, Americans were moving steadily toward independence. While delegates in Philadelphia debated whether to separate from Great Britain, British military leaders were preparing a major campaign to crush the rebellion in the South. Their target was […]

When most people think about the American Revolution, they think of famous men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. However, one of the most influential voices of the Revolutionary era belonged to a woman who never held public office. Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, […]

Listen to this article:Your browser does not support the audio element.0:000:00June 1776 was one of the most important months in American history. The thirteen colonies were moving steadily toward a final break with Great Britain. Years of political disputes, protests, boycotts, and armed conflict had convinced many Americans that reconciliation […]