Growing Patriots

Here are 5 things that happened during America's founding period that didn't get a full episode, but I still want you to know about!

How did Washington, D.C. become our capitol? We hear all about it with an expert from the United States Capitol Historical Society!

Once the Constitution had been ratified, it was time to America to choose its first president. We're joined by Dr. Colleen Shogan – the Archivist of the United States –to hear all about how George Washington was chosen and inaugurated.

We've learned an awful lot about the Constitution! In this episode, we're joined by Constitutional expert Clark Neily who breaks it down into the key themes and what we absolutely need to keep in mind.

The final two amendments in the Bill of Rights are all about who has the power – the people and the states. Here's how it all works.

Amendments 5-8 are all about protecting the rights of someone who has been accused of a crime. That's almost half of the whole Bill of Rights! So, why did our founders care so much? Let's find out.

The third and fourth amendments to the Constitution are all about making sure your home is safe from the government.

We’ve wrapped up our episodes on the First Amendment, and you know what that means – on to the second! People often argue about the Second Amendment – but do they know what it really says? In this episode, we’re joined by Second Amendment and firearms policy expert Stephen Gutowski from The Reload to give us the real scoop.

We're wrapping up the First Amendment with a minisode on the last two freedoms it protects – assembly and petition!

We continue exploring the First Amendment by learning all about Freedom of the Press!

We continue our exploration of the First Amendment by talking about free speech. What does it mean? What can you say? Are there any limitations? Listen now to find out!

In this episode, we get started on the First Amendment! It "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." So, what does it mean to have freedom of religion? Why was it so important to our founders? Listen to find out!

Before we learn about the rights protected in the Bill of Rights, let's learn what rights really are!

The Constitution had been made the law of the land, but our founders wanted to make sure the people – and the government – knew certain fundamental rights could not be trampled upon.

We've talked about the Legislative and Judicial Branches. Now, it's time to learn what the Executive Branch does!

We continue to explore the different branches of government by learning all about the Judicial Branch. We're joined by Judge Don Willett to tell us what it does and how it all works.

There are three branches of government in America – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. In this episode, we find out what the legislative branch does!

Christmas flashback! Two things I love are Christmas and learning about colonial America, so I am crazy about this previously-airedepisode. Matt Arthur from Tryon Palace in North Carolina joins us to answer Christmas questions from the incredible 6 year-old Ella. In this episode, learn all about how Christmas was celebrated in Colonial times.

With Hanukkah celebrations underway around the world, we're revisiting this previously-aired episode to talk about how Jewish holidays were celebrated in colonial America. 12 year-old Zachary joins us with questions about holidays and Jewish culture, and Andrew Porwancher, history professor with the University of Oklahoma, joins us to answer them!

After getting rid of a tyrannical king, our founders wanted to make sure no one could have that much power in America. So, they split the power into three branches of government, each with a specific job do to. And, if they get out of line, the other branches can check them and balance things out. Here's how it works.

We've all heard the story of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth. But there was a Thanksgiving before that – in Virginia! Here's the story.

This Veteran's Day, we're flashing back to our episode about how the American military was first created!

If you missed this episode the first time around (are just wanted to hear it another time) – here it is again! From harvest festivals to bonfire night, here are some of the ways autumn was celebrated in colonial America.

When our founders were deciding how our presidents would be elected, they had to figure out a way to make it fair for everyone. What they came up with was ingenious – an electoral college.

A look at Halloween from ancient times until today!