Benjamin Rush: A Founding Father Devoted to Education, Public Health, and Civic Virtue

A Versatile and Influential Founder Benjamin Rush is sometimes called “the forgotten Founder,” but his influence on early America was anything but small. Born in 1746 in Pennsylvania, Rush became a leading physician, a civic reformer, and one of the most intellectually energetic voices of the young republic. He signed the Declaration of Independence at…

Cornplanter (Gaiänt’wakê): A Peacemaker Between Nations

When most Americans think of the nation’s founders, names like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson often come to mind. But America’s story is broader and more diverse than those familiar figures. It also includes Native leaders whose courage, diplomacy, and foresight helped shape the early years of the United States. One such leader…

Crispus Attucks: The First to Fall for American Liberty

In the story of America’s founding, one man’s courage on a cold March night in Boston became a spark that helped ignite a revolution. Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American heritage, is remembered as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre—and the first casualty in the fight for American independence. Crispus…

Marquis de Lafayette: The Hero of Two Revolutions

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was born on September 6, 1757, in the rugged Auvergne region of south-central France. He came from a long line of military aristocrats, and his family’s legacy was inseparable from service to the French crown. His father, Michel Louis Christophe Roch Gilbert du Motier, served…

America’s Founding Generation

We honor the men and women of America’s founding generation who broke barriers and shaped the early republic by stepping into roles never before held. From the first signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to the first voices calling for liberty, equality, and expanded rights, their bold service turned individual acts of courage…

The Other Day of Independence: What Really Happened on August 2, 1776

Ask most Americans when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the answer will almost always be July 4, 1776. That date is etched into our national memory. It appears on the document itself, is marked each year with fireworks and celebration, and is taught as the birthday of the United States. However, like many…

“Proclaim Liberty”: The First Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence

In July 1776, the streets of Philadelphia were thick with humidity—and tension. Despite the colonies having been at war with Great Britain for over a year, many found the idea of full independence daunting. The American Revolution had begun with pleas for redress and recognition, not with a clear call to sever ties from the…

Celebrating Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday: A Look at the Life of a Founding Father

Each year on January 17th, we celebrate the birthday of Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s most influential historical figures. Born in 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin lived a life that spanned multiple roles: inventor, writer, scientist, diplomat, philosopher, and statesman. His accomplishments shaped the foundation of the United States and influenced fields ranging from politics…

The Boston Tea Party: A Story of Resistance, Revolution, and Legacy

On a chilly December night in 1773, Boston Harbor shimmered under the faint light of a waxing moon. The quiet ripples of water lapped against the wooden sides of three ships anchored in the harbor: the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver. These vessels carried precious cargo—chests filled with tea imported by the British East…

History of the American Flag

The American flag, known as the “Stars and Stripes,” has undergone several significant transformations throughout its history. Each version of the flag reflects pivotal moments in the nation’s growth and development. Here, we explore the evolution of the American flag, focusing on key designs such as the “Continental Colors,” the “Betsy Ross Flag,” the 15-star…