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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...

"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, is and ought to be totally dissolved. "

In this episode, we take a deep dive into military history and examine how both American and British military leaders understood and analyzed the tactical, strategic,...

"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 information systems that helped the Colonies thrive. Topics include the following:

-the importance of the 7 Years' War in accelerating the development of infrastructure throughout the Colonies and into the interior

-the Braddock Expedition against the French in 1755

-the expansion of the...

"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 separation."

In this episode, we focus on the Netherlands, the second country (after France) to acknowledge the claim made in the the Declaration of Independence, that the United States is...

"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 this episode, we explore the complex relationship between the new United States and its major patron, France.

Topics include the following:

-the bloody historical competition between the French and British Empires

-the differing aims of powerful interest...

"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 amazing life of Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, the second president, and mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president.

Topics include the following:

-Abigail Adams'...

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 Americans in 1776 and their different responses to the Declaration of Independence

-the story of James Forten, free Black, Patriot volunteer, and early abolitionist, and Jeffrey Brace, an enslaved soldier in the Continental Army, who was re-enslaved after the war...

"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 official action by navies and semi-official actions by privateers

-the massacre of enslaved people on the Zong (aka the Zorg)

-the diversity of seafarers in the 18th century

-the Continental Association of 1774, signed by all of the original 13...