Stay ConnectedThis is a multiple award-winning podcast about early American history. It’s a show for people who love history and who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.
Each episode features conversations with professional historians who help shed light on important people and events in early American history.
Copyright: © Liz Covart 2024
What about the British Redcoats?
When we discuss the military history of the American War for Independence, we tend to focus on specific battles or details about the men who served in George Washington’s Continental Army.
Rarely do we take the opportunity to ask questions about the approximately 50,000 men who served in the British Army that opposed them.
Don N. Hagist, independent scholar and author of British Soldiers, American War: Voices of the American Revolution, leads us on exploration of the “other” men who fought in the American War for Independence, the soldiers in the British Army.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/010
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“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house/ Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse./ The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/ In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
Undoubtedly, you have heard, or read, this first stanza of Clement Moore’s famous “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (1822) poem, but have you ever wondered about the traditions and saint contained within its lines?
Where did the Christmas traditions of stockings, presents, and cookies come from? And what about jolly, old Saint Nicholas? Who was he and why do we often call him Santa Claus?
Peter G. Rose, culinary historian of Dutch foodways in North America and author of Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats joins us to discuss the origins of Santa Claus and edible goodies such as cookies in the United States.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/009
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The Middle Passage forced millions of African men, women, and children to migrate across the Atlantic Ocean, but did you know that there existed an even more deadly voyage for slaves?
For many Africans the journey into slavery did not end with their arrival at a Caribbean entrepôt such as Barbados or Jamaica.
After their transatlantic journey, many captives had to embark on a second, deadlier voyage to their new homes.
In this episode we explore this second, deadlier voyage with Gregory O’Malley, author of the new book, Final Passages: The Intercolonial Slave Trade of British America, 1619-1807.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/008
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The United States declared independence from Great Britain in July 1776, but the King and Parliament of Great Britain did not recognize this independence until April 9, 1784.
On June 1, 1785, King George III received his first diplomat from the United States.
Do you know what happened when His Majesty came face-to-face with John Adams?
The Papers of John Adams reveal much about his meeting with King George III as well as the time he spent as a Revolutionary, Statesmen, President, and retired gentleman farmer. Sara Georgini, Assistant Editor at the Adams Papers Documentary Editing Project joins us to discuss John Adams’ experiences as the first U.S. Minister to Great Britain and what it is like to work with the more than 250,000 documents that Adams and his descendants have generated.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/007
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Arrr, so ye like pirates do ye?
Did ye know that as much as 33% of pirate crews were made up of captured seamen, not pirates?
We’ll be talking about the “Golden Age” of pirates in this here episode of Ben Franklin’s World with historian and pirate expert Gregory N. Flemming, author of the new book At the Point of a Cutlass: The Pirate Capture, Bold Escape, and Lonely Exile of Philip Ashton.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/006
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You likely know the names of George and Martha Washington, John and Abigail Adams, and James and Dolley Madison, as the names of a few of the founding mothers and fathers of the United States.
You may have heard of some of their deeds and political accomplishments. But did you know that all of these couples endured tragic and sometimes frequent episodes with illness and disease?
Do you know what the founding fathers and mothers really understood about health and wellness?
Jeanne Abrams, Professor at the University of Denver University Libraries, joins us to discuss the world of 18th-century medicine and her recent book, Revolutionary Medicine: The Founding Fathers and Mothers in Sickness and in Health.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/005
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Did you know that most biographies about the founders of the United States reveal more about the Americans who wrote the biographies than about the true character of the founders themselves?
Thomas A. Foster, Professor of History at DePaul University, joins us to discuss his latest book Sex and the Founding Fathers: The American Quest for a Relatable Past, an exploration ofhow Americans have imagined and reimagined the founding fathers from the 18th century to the present.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/004
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Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731. Today, you can visit his library and its amazing collections, which begs the question: How has the Library Company managed to stay open, and remain relevant, for over 283 years?
Richard S. Newman, Director of the Library Company of Philadelphia discusses past and present efforts of the Library Company to serve the public at large. Newman reveals how the Library Company has adapted to the needs of the public over time. He also unveils ideas for how the Library Company can continue to remain relevant in our twenty-first digital age.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/003
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Have you ever walked through a museum and wondered why its staff chose to feature the artifacts you saw?
Cornelia King, Chief of Reference at the Library Company of Philadelphia discusses “That’s So Gay: Outing Early America,” an exhibition that she curated for the Library Company. In addition to providing us with information about the history of gay men and women in early America, Connie gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how she decided what artifacts, books, and ephemera to display in “That’s So Gay” and how she sought to interpret those items for the education and enjoyment of visitors.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/002
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Dd you know that Ben Franklin founded the first successful lending library in North America?
With James N. Green, Librarian at the Library Company of Philadelphia, we explores the role Franklin played in the founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the history of libraries in colonial North America, and the Junto, Franklin’s sociability and improvement club for Philadelphia tradesmen.
Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/001
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