Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence

"Happiness" is mentioned twice in the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence, but what does it mean? In this episode, Prof. Darrin McMahon, best-selling author of _Happiness: A History_, outlines the history of happiness and its various meanings. Topics include: -the history of the word in English and other languages -happiness in the classical Greek and Roman philosophical traditions -h...

In this episode, we discuss the rum industry in connection with grievances #16 and #17 in the Declaration of Independence: "For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world" "For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent" Topics include the following: -an explanation of rum production, from sugarcane to the finished product -the origins of sugarcane and rum production in Barbados in the early...

"He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us." In this episodes, we explore the many faces of Loyalism in the Colonies, particularly the Loyalist stronghold of New York City. Of course, Loyalists remained under the King's protection during the war, contrary to Grievance #23 of the Declaration of Independence. Topics include the following: -a de...

In this episode we explore the Revolution 250 exhibit at The National Archives in Kew, from 24 June 2026 to 29 November 2026: [Revolution 250](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/revolution-250-americas-independence-story-1763-1783/) America's Independence Story 1763–1783 Britain and America. One Story, Two Nations Topics include the following: -the story of the distribution o...

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power...He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people." In this ep...

"He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation." In this episode, we examine one of the most important first-person accounts of the War for Independence, Johann Ewald's...

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America...do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain...

"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." In this episode we explore Grievance #4 of the Declaration of Independence and the importance of Colonial infrastructure--the roads, ports, cities, and other communication structures and info...

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the sepa...

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America...solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States...and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do." In...

"Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation." Abigail Adams to John Adams, 31 March 1776 For our Women's History Month episode, we explore...

The phrase, ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, is complicated when viewed from the perspective of an enslaved person. So for our Black History Month episode, we are exploring the wide variety of Black perspectives about the Declaration of Independence. Topics include the following: -a history of Juneteenth, the alternative Independence Day for Black Americans -the different life situations of Black Americ...

"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people." In this episode, we explore Grievance #24 in the Declaration of Independence, which condemns the British practice of privateering amongst other things. Topics include the following: -the destruction of Norfolk and Falmouth--the towns alluded to in Grievance #24 -the legal differences between of...

"He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands." Today we explore Grievance #26 in the Declaration of Independence, which protested against the Royal Navy practice of impressment, the forced conscription of sailors into naval service. Topics inc...

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures." In today's episode, we explore Grievance #11 in the Declaration of Independence, which condemns the deployment of British regular troops in American towns and cities during peacetime. Topics include: -the long British tradition disapproving of standing armies on British soil -the long British tradit...

"Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren...They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, ENEMIES IN WAR, IN PEACE FRIENDS." In this episode we explore Loyalist vs. Patriot Civil War during the Revolutionary War. Topics includ...

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, OUR FORTUNES, and our sacred Honor." Why did the signers of the Declaration of Independence have to pledge their fortunes (their money) to the revolutionary cause? How did unorthodox American ideas about money help win the Revolutionary War? And were th...

In this episode, we explore the influence of Wales and Welsh immigrants on the Declaration of Independence with two expert guests from the University of Cardiff, Dr. Marion Loeffler and Dr. Huw Williams. Topics include: -the importance of preserving and expanding Welsh language and identity in the present -an exploration of Welsh identity in the 1700s -the tradition of Welsh religious dissenters w...

"Irish men and Irish women, in the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland through us summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom. She now seizes that moment and supported by her exiled children in America and by gallant allies in Europe, but relying in the first on her own strength, she strikes in full confidence of...

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for ONE PEOPLE to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..." "Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of THE PEOPLE to alter or to abolish it..." In this episode, we explore the creation of the legal concept of THE PEOPLE with the right to overthrow their government. To...

This episode explores the complexity of Florida's colonial history, its relationship to African-Americans, and its importance during the War of Independence. Our expert guest is Prof. Jane Landers (Vanderbilt University), who is also the Director of the Slave Societies Digital Archive. Topics include: -The importance of remembering African-American history in Spanish America -An overview of Spanis...

In the second of our 2-episode series about Canada and the Declaration of Independence, historian Mark R. Anderson talks us through the invasion of "the neighbouring Province" of Canada as well as the third and final letter from the Continental Congress to the Inhabitants of Canada. Topics include: -The formation of the Continental Army in June of 1775 and the appointment of General Schuyler to in...

"For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies." In the first of this two-part episode about Canada and the rebellious Colonies, we discuss the important differences in the history...

"...and as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do." In this episode, Professor Johnson (Baylor U.) explores the origins of American theories of diplomacy and the importance of race and freedom in early American history. These concepts are seen...

In this episode, Dr. Nora Slonimsky, Director the the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona U., walks you through the life and ideas of one of the most influential figures in American history, Thomas Paine, author of the bestselling political pamphlet Common Sense (10 January 1776). Topics include: -Thomas Paine's early life -The massive popularity of Common Sense -Similarities between Common...