As we've approached the 250th anniversary of American independence, I've been thinking a lot about what this milestone means for our nation, so on the Fourth of July I sat down to put those thoughts on the record. Watch the reflection here.
The Public History podcast hosts drafted five rounds of revolutionary history — moments, films, and figures — then handed the whole thing to Codie Eash of the Seminary Ridge Museum to rank. He scored every category, spared no feelings, and the margin came down to a single point. Listen to the episode here.
John Adams predicted July 2nd would be America's great anniversary. For the 250th, Seminary Ridge Museum is making him right — with a reading of the Declaration, a historian panel, and an outdoor screening of John Adams. I'll be participating on the panel. It's free and open to all. Learn more and plan your visit.
Justin, Jake, and Molly are back and arguing about revolutionary history. With America's 250th on the horizon, Justin, Jake, and Molly turned the question of what "revolution" really means into a five-round draft. Battles, court decisions, films, and historical figures. And you can vote for who collected the best group of revolutionary moments. Listen to the episode here.
Independence was only the beginning. In the final episodes of John Adams, the Revolution gives way to politics, power struggles, and the difficult work of governing a fragile new nation. Adams finds himself caught between rivals and expectations, while the cost of public life reshapes his family and his legacy. Listen to our review on the Public History podcast.
We begin our rewatch of HBO’s John Adams with the Boston Massacre and a risky defense that tested the rule of law at the edge of revolution. From Abigail’s steady influence to the messy birth of independence, this episode revisits a familiar story that feels urgent again. Listen to this episode of the Public History podcast.
In this "emergency" episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, Jake and Molly respond to the quiet removal of slavery interpretation at Philadelphia’s President’s House ahead of America’s 250th. Listen to the full episode.
In this episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, we revisit The Patriot (2000) as both a Revolutionary War story and a product of its time. The conversation digs into mythmaking, historical shortcuts, and how Hollywood action tropes still shape how Americans imagine the Revolution. Listen to the episode.
On Saturday June 14, I was asked to give remarks about the history and context of the American flag over the last 250 years of history. These are the words I shared in historic Mullinix Park in Frederick, Maryland.
Discover the rich history of Rose Hill Manor with Amanda Venable and Kari Saavedra in our latest podcast episode. Learn how they’re reimagining historical interpretation in Frederick, Maryland - from founding governor Thomas Johnson’s legacy to enslaved peoples’ stories and plans for America’s 250th. This conversation showcases the power of local museums to connect communities with their shared past. Listen to the full episode and subscribe.