250 years ago this week, Lord Dunmore shook the colonies: “All indented servants, Negroes, or others (appertaining to rebels)… free, that are able and willing to bear arms.” Dunmore’s Proclamation changed the Revolution. 🎧 Hear the full story: benfranklinsworld.com/424 #AmericanRevolution

For decades prior to 1775, Britain shipped thousands of convicts to Maryland and Virginia. When the colonies rebelled, those shipments stopped. Britain's solution? Someone looked at an atlas and said: What about Botany Bay? That's how Australia was founded. #America250 #Revolution250 #History

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

🇬🇧 Chaplain. Officer. Accused. Robert Newburgh’s story unfolds in the shadows of the British Empire. What happened when queerness and military honor collide in 1770s Philadelphia? Find out in Episode 414 of Ben Franklin’s World: www.benfranklinsworld.com/414 #HistoryPodcasts #QueerHistory

We all know John Hancock’s signature—but do we know the man? 🖋️ In Ep. 388, Brooke Barbier reveals how Hancock’s wealth, style, and ambition shaped Boston and the Revolution. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/388 #JohnHancock #VastEarlyAmerica #History #Boston #AmericanRevolution #Revolution250

Episode 388: Brooke Barbier, John Hancock

We examine a different aspect of the Declaration of Independence: the man behind the boldest signature on the document: John Hancock.

benfranklinsworld.com

When France joined the Revolution in 1778, it also went to war with Britain in India. The result: the ruler of Mysore allied with France, thereby making him an ally of George Washington. He sent 80,000 troops. Washington had fewer than 10% of that at Yorktown. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

Molly Brandt held together a fragile alliance between the Haudenosaunee and the British Crown throughout the Revolution. She didn't just lose the war. She lost her ancestral homeland and died in exile across a border that hadn't existed when she was born. #Revolution250 #America250 #History

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

You know Phillis Wheatley the poet—but what about Phillis Wheatley the playwright? 🖋️🎭 In Ep. 377, Ade Solanke explores how creative storytelling brings Wheatley’s voice to life on stage. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/377 #PhillisWheatley #VastEarlyAmerica #History #AmericanRevolution

How did Maine go from Massachusetts’ northern frontier to its own state? 🌲🗺️ In Ep. 384, Joshua Smith explores the people, politics, and identity that shaped Maine’s journey to statehood. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/384 #MaineHistory #VastEarlyAmerica #History #USHistory #Maine

Episode 384: Joshua Smith, Making Maine: A Journey to Statehood

Joshua Smith author of the book Making Maine: Statehood and the War of 1812, leads us on an exploration of Maine’s journey to statehood.

benfranklinsworld.com

George Washington had no biological children—but did he have heirs? 👪 In Ep. 385, Cassandra Good explores the lives of the step-grandchildren who claimed his legacy. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/385 #GeorgeWashington #VastEarlyAmerica #History #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #USHistory

Episode 385: Cassandra Good, Did George Washington Have Heirs?

George Washington had no sons to whom he might pass on the presidency. But while he had no biological heirs, he did have heirs

benfranklinsworld.com

250 years ago, the revolutionaries knew something that gets lost in the founding myths: they could not win alone. The Declaration of Independence was really a Declaration of Interdependence. Rick Bell explains why. #Revolution250 #America250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

What would you risk for freedom? Your safety? Your home? Your life? In 1775, hundreds of enslaved Virginians risked everything to flee to a man they were told to fear—British Governor Lord Dunmore. 🎧 Their stories deserve to be heard: benfranklinsworld.com/424 #BlackHistory #Revolution250

What if the American Revolution didn't just create the United States, but also created Australia? That's not a thought experiment. It's history. New episode with historian Rick Bell. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

For decades prior to 1775, Britain shipped thousands of convicts to Maryland and Virginia. When the colonies rebelled, those shipments stopped. Britain's solution? Someone looked at an atlas and said: What about Botany Bay? That's how Australia was founded. #America250 #Revolution250 #History

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

When France joined the Revolution in 1778, it also went to war with Britain in India. The result: the ruler of Mysore allied with France, thereby making him an ally of George Washington. He sent 80,000 troops. Washington had fewer than 10% of that at Yorktown. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

America's 250th is coming. How should your town remember the Revolution? 🎧 Episode 427 explores how Virginia & Rhode Island are planning meaningful commemorations, and why it matters. 🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/427

Episode 427: How States Are Planning the 250th: Commemorating the American Revolution in 2026

Discover how states are preparing for the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

benfranklinsworld.com

Molly Brandt held together a fragile alliance between the Haudenosaunee and the British Crown throughout the Revolution. She didn't just lose the war. She lost her ancestral homeland and died in exile across a border that hadn't existed when she was born. #Revolution250 #America250 #History

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

What part of the American Revolution's global reach surprised you most? Spain's campaign in Florida? Hyder Ali's alliance with France? The founding of Australia? Tell me, I'd love to know what landed hardest. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

250 years ago, the revolutionaries knew something that gets lost in the founding myths: they could not win alone. The Declaration of Independence was really a Declaration of Interdependence. Rick Bell explains why. #Revolution250 #America250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

Georgia didn’t send delegates to the First Continental Congress. Its last royal governor stayed in power longer than any other. It was loyal—until it wasn’t. Episode 421 dives into why Georgia’s revolution looked so different. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/421 #USHistory #PodcastRecommendation

Episode 421: Greg Brooking, Loyalism and Revolution in Georgia

Georgia’s experience offers rich insight into Loyalism, imperial politics, and how personal conviction shaped the course of the American Revolution.

benfranklinsworld.com

What if the American Revolution didn't just create the United States, but also created Australia? That's not a thought experiment. It's history. New episode with historian Rick Bell. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

Long before European settlers, Native Nations thrived in North America.Explore a millennium of indigenous history and culture in our latest episode: www.benfranklinsworld.com/397 #NativeHistory #IndigenousPeoples #NorthAmerica #BenFranklinsWorld #History #USHistory

Colonists didn’t “tame” the land—they built over Indigenous farms. In Ep. 426, Michael Wise reveals how Native people shaped forests, fields, and food systems. Explore Indigenous agriculture in our latest episode. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/426

For decades prior to 1775, Britain shipped thousands of convicts to Maryland and Virginia. When the colonies rebelled, those shipments stopped. Britain's solution? Someone looked at an atlas and said: What about Botany Bay? That's how Australia was founded. #America250 #Revolution250 #History

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

When France joined the Revolution in 1778, it also went to war with Britain in India. The result: the ruler of Mysore allied with France, thereby making him an ally of George Washington. He sent 80,000 troops. Washington had fewer than 10% of that at Yorktown. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

“Fireworks are great. But the 250th has to be more than fireworks.” – Carly Fiorina 🎧 Hosted by Karin Wulf, Episode 427 explores how states are shaping the 2026 commemoration. 🔗 benfranklinsworld.com/427

Who invested in England’s first American colony—and what were they hoping to gain? Misha Ewen explores the Virginia Company, the women behind the venture, and what early colonization looked like from across the Atlantic. 🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/355 #Virginia #VastEarlyAmerica #History

Episode 355: Misha Ewen, The Virginia Venture

Misha Ewen, author of the Virginia Venture, joins us to discuss the early history of the Virginia Company and its early investors.

benfranklinsworld.com

If you were a freeborn Black person in Revolutionary Rhode Island, which side would you have chosen: Continental Army or the British? William Frank chose one. His brother Ben chose the other. Their story. #America250 #Revolution250 #AmericanRevolution #MilitaryHistory #FamilyHistory

Episode 434: Shirley Green, The Frank Brothers: Freeborn Black Soldiers in the American Revolution

Brothers & Freeborn Black men, William & Ben Frank enlisted in the Continental Army. They gambled military service would earn them a better future.

benfranklinsworld.com

What part of the American Revolution's global reach surprised you most? Spain's campaign in Florida? Hyder Ali's alliance with France? The founding of Australia? Tell me, I'd love to know what landed hardest. #America250 #Revolution250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com

250 years later, we're still telling the story of the Revolution as one of armies and battlefields. Lauren Duval's research on Rev War-occupied cities asks: what about the 90% of the story that unfolded in households, on doorsteps, & in back gardens? The home front changes everything. #America250

Episode 437: Lauren Duval, Civilian Life in Revolutionary War Occupied Cities

Revolutionary War occupied cities transformed civilian life. Lauren Duval reveals how households negotiated quartering, martial law, and freedom.

benfranklinsworld.com

250 years ago, the revolutionaries knew something that gets lost in the founding myths: they could not win alone. The Declaration of Independence was really a Declaration of Interdependence. Rick Bell explains why. #Revolution250 #America250

Episode 438: Rick Bell, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World

Discover the American Revolution's global history with Rick Bell, from Spain's Florida campaign to Australia's founding.

benfranklinsworld.com