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

"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 description of the different Loyalists or Tories throughout the Colonies, including the rich and poor, black and white, Native and European, male and female

-the origins of the Sons of Liberty in 1765 as a result of...

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 of the Declaration first around the Colonies and then around the world

-a description of the National Archive's collection of early prints of the Declaration, including the extremely rare Dunlap Broadsides

-the fascinating stories of how these prints arrived in London, enclosed in letters from various British officials in the Colonies, such as Admiral Richard...

"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 episode, we unpack Grievances #11, #12, #23, and #24 of the Declaration of Independence and the relationship between Americans and the various types of armed troops in North America, from militias, to...

"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 American War Diaries.

Ewald was an elite Hessian Officer who spent 8 long years in North America fighting against the Patriots on behalf of King George.

Topics include the following:

-The history of mercenaries or subsidy troops...