Episodes

It’s Cake and Candles today for Brigadier General John Harrison, born this day in 1775 in Pennsylvania. Harrison became a local official in his home county until the War of 1812, when he enlisted and his company was sent to defend Baltimore against the British in one of the war’s biggest victories for the American … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 8, 1775

By all accounts, Ben Franklin was a charming guy. And while he has a reputation today for being the sort of ladies’ man who left behind lots of children with single moms, that wasn’t really the case (as you’ll discover in a future episode). But part of his charm came from his diplomacy skills, which … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 7, 1775

The impression that most people have of John Adams, it seems, comes from one of two places. It’s either William Daniels’ portrayal of him in the play and film 1776 (and we’re big fans of that particular bit of cinema), or it’s Paul Giamatti’s portrayal in the seven-part miniseries on cable TV. Both stories had … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 6, 1775

Daniel Dobbins was born this day in 1775. We’re pretty sure that’s the date; listen in and find out why. Dobbins spent most of his time on the waters of Lake Erie. He—and most of the people in the Lower Peninsula of modern-day Michigan—didn’t even know that the War of 1812 was going on until … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 5, 1775

Samuel Seabury was a prominent figure in the Protestant Episcopal Church on this side of the pond. From a political standpoint, he was a Loyalist and spent some time writing pieces urging his followers not to seek independence from England. One piece in particular, which he wrote using a pen name, lit a fire under … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 4, 1775

Thomas Flournoy was born this day in 1775, and while he therefore didn’t have a lot to do with the Revolutionary War, he did have an impact on the Florida Patriot War and on the War of 1812. Now, we’re pretty sure you’ve heard of the War of 1812 but we’re willing to bet that … Continue reading 250 and Counting–January 3, 1775

The Philadelphia Packet was a weekly newspaper that had only been around for about four years by the start of 1775, so tensions between the Colonies and the Crown were already in place from the first issue. But while publisher John Dunlap generally sided with the Americans, he did feel a responsibility to present both … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 2, 1775

Welcome to the inaugural episode of 250 and Counting! This is a daily podcast, but don’t worry—it only runs about four or five minutes per day. Those of you of a certain age (ahem) may remember the Bicentennial Minute. For those of you who don’t: As the 200th anniversary of the United States approached, our … Continue reading 250 and Counting: January 1, 1775