Ben Franklin's World
@bfworld.bsky.social
🔍 Curious about the past? So are we! 🎧 Join award-winning historian @[email protected] as we time-travel through early America to uncover the people, ideas & stories that shaped our world. New eps every other Tuesday! 🇺🇸 #HistoryMatters
“We hold these truths…” but what did the Founders really mean by the pursuit of happiness? 🧐
In Ep. 394, Jeffrey Rosen explores this revolutionary idea and its roots in early American thought.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/396
#FoundingIdeas #VastEarlyAmerica #History
In Ep. 394, Jeffrey Rosen explores this revolutionary idea and its roots in early American thought.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/396
#FoundingIdeas #VastEarlyAmerica #History
394 Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Happiness
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”– United States Declaration of Independ
benfranklinsworld.com
September 19, 2026 at 4:36 PM
“We hold these truths…” but what did the Founders really mean by the pursuit of happiness? 🧐
In Ep. 394, Jeffrey Rosen explores this revolutionary idea and its roots in early American thought.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/396
#FoundingIdeas #VastEarlyAmerica #History
In Ep. 394, Jeffrey Rosen explores this revolutionary idea and its roots in early American thought.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/396
#FoundingIdeas #VastEarlyAmerica #History
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed.
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
September 19, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed.
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
September 18, 2026 at 8:34 PM
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
Most Americans know Paul Revere’s ride. Few know the man who sent him.
Meet Dr. Joseph Warren—the revolutionary who organized, inspired, and ultimately died for the cause.
🎧 His story: benfranklinsworld.com/413
#AmericanRevolution #Boston #HistoryPodcast #Revolution250
Meet Dr. Joseph Warren—the revolutionary who organized, inspired, and ultimately died for the cause.
🎧 His story: benfranklinsworld.com/413
#AmericanRevolution #Boston #HistoryPodcast #Revolution250
benfranklinsworld.com
September 18, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Most Americans know Paul Revere’s ride. Few know the man who sent him.
Meet Dr. Joseph Warren—the revolutionary who organized, inspired, and ultimately died for the cause.
🎧 His story: benfranklinsworld.com/413
#AmericanRevolution #Boston #HistoryPodcast #Revolution250
Meet Dr. Joseph Warren—the revolutionary who organized, inspired, and ultimately died for the cause.
🎧 His story: benfranklinsworld.com/413
#AmericanRevolution #Boston #HistoryPodcast #Revolution250
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 18, 2026 at 5:53 PM
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
A coalition of historians and history organizations noticed the demand for more history in the United States and created a new initiative.
In a BFW Bonus episode, Beth English & Kate Masur joined us to discuss #wewantmorehistory @oah.org
The episode is available now, wherever you listen podcasts.
In a BFW Bonus episode, Beth English & Kate Masur joined us to discuss #wewantmorehistory @oah.org
The episode is available now, wherever you listen podcasts.
September 18, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A coalition of historians and history organizations noticed the demand for more history in the United States and created a new initiative.
In a BFW Bonus episode, Beth English & Kate Masur joined us to discuss #wewantmorehistory @oah.org
The episode is available now, wherever you listen podcasts.
In a BFW Bonus episode, Beth English & Kate Masur joined us to discuss #wewantmorehistory @oah.org
The episode is available now, wherever you listen podcasts.
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:39 PM
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
He helped spark a revolution—then faded into the background. 🔥🕵️♂️
Stacy Schiff brings Samuel Adams back into the spotlight as a master of strategy, words, and rebellion.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/350
#SamuelAdams #VastEarlyAmerica #History
Stacy Schiff brings Samuel Adams back into the spotlight as a master of strategy, words, and rebellion.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/350
#SamuelAdams #VastEarlyAmerica #History
Episode 350: Stacy Schiff, The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams
Episode featuring Stacy Schiff about Samuel Adams
benfranklinsworld.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:36 PM
He helped spark a revolution—then faded into the background. 🔥🕵️♂️
Stacy Schiff brings Samuel Adams back into the spotlight as a master of strategy, words, and rebellion.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/350
#SamuelAdams #VastEarlyAmerica #History
Stacy Schiff brings Samuel Adams back into the spotlight as a master of strategy, words, and rebellion.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/350
#SamuelAdams #VastEarlyAmerica #History
The deadliest enemy in the Revolutionary War wasn't the British. It was disease. Smallpox and malaria killed far more soldiers than combat. Washington secretly mass-inoculated the Continental Army during the winter of 1776–77 to fight back.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/442
#America250 #History
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/442
#America250 #History
September 17, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The deadliest enemy in the Revolutionary War wasn't the British. It was disease. Smallpox and malaria killed far more soldiers than combat. Washington secretly mass-inoculated the Continental Army during the winter of 1776–77 to fight back.
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/442
#America250 #History
🎧 benfranklinsworld.com/442
#America250 #History
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution
- The difference between political and cultural independence
- Competing British and American ideas about honor
- Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution
- The difference between political and cultural independence
- Competing British and American ideas about honor
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
www.benfranklinsworld.com
September 17, 2026 at 12:21 AM
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution
- The difference between political and cultural independence
- Competing British and American ideas about honor
- Why grand narratives overlook how ordinary people experienced the Revolution
- The difference between political and cultural independence
- Competing British and American ideas about honor
In December 1776, a Lenape leader named White Eyes stood before the Second Continental Congress.
For him, the American Revolution posed questions: How do the Lenape people survive and which of these strangers–the British or the Americans–will keep their word?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
For him, the American Revolution posed questions: How do the Lenape people survive and which of these strangers–the British or the Americans–will keep their word?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
September 16, 2026 at 7:25 PM
In December 1776, a Lenape leader named White Eyes stood before the Second Continental Congress.
For him, the American Revolution posed questions: How do the Lenape people survive and which of these strangers–the British or the Americans–will keep their word?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
For him, the American Revolution posed questions: How do the Lenape people survive and which of these strangers–the British or the Americans–will keep their word?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
“I mean he really doesn't miss an opportunity to call into question the legitimacy of the American culture and the whole revolution.”
Ep. 451 with T. H. Breen investigates why John Burgoyne's demand to serve as prosecutor in an American military court were met.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
Ep. 451 with T. H. Breen investigates why John Burgoyne's demand to serve as prosecutor in an American military court were met.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
September 16, 2026 at 5:11 PM
“I mean he really doesn't miss an opportunity to call into question the legitimacy of the American culture and the whole revolution.”
Ep. 451 with T. H. Breen investigates why John Burgoyne's demand to serve as prosecutor in an American military court were met.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
Ep. 451 with T. H. Breen investigates why John Burgoyne's demand to serve as prosecutor in an American military court were met.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
In December 1777, a Continental colonel struck a drunk British prisoner with his sword. The wound was minor.
A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.
Hear the story in ep 451.
#Revolution250 #America250
A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.
Hear the story in ep 451.
#Revolution250 #America250
Episode 451: David Henley's Court-Martial and The American Revolution on Trial - Ben Franklin's World
Timothy Breen investigates John Burgoyne's court-martial of David Henry and what it meant to be American after independence from the British.
www.benfranklinsworld.com
September 16, 2026 at 10:41 AM
In December 1777, a Continental colonel struck a drunk British prisoner with his sword. The wound was minor.
A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.
Hear the story in ep 451.
#Revolution250 #America250
A British general called it a plot to murder prisoners, and demanded a court-martial.
Hear the story in ep 451.
#Revolution250 #America250
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 15, 2026 at 9:03 PM
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed.
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
September 15, 2026 at 7:34 PM
A British general surrendered at Saratoga, then demanded to prosecute an American colonel in an American court-martial. The Americans agreed.
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
Hear the full story in episode 451 of Ben Franklin's World.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
#Revolution250 #America250
In ep. 449, we explored how the American Revolutionary War further encouraged the enslavement of Indigenous peoples as it accelerated their dispossession of lands.
In ep. 450, we spend time with the Lenape, or Delaware, people who experienced the war itself.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
In ep. 450, we spend time with the Lenape, or Delaware, people who experienced the war itself.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
September 15, 2026 at 4:36 PM
In ep. 449, we explored how the American Revolutionary War further encouraged the enslavement of Indigenous peoples as it accelerated their dispossession of lands.
In ep. 450, we spend time with the Lenape, or Delaware, people who experienced the war itself.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
In ep. 450, we spend time with the Lenape, or Delaware, people who experienced the war itself.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
September 15, 2026 at 3:42 PM
🎙️ Episode 451 of BFW explores:
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
- Details of John Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga
- The incidents that led to John Burgoyne serving as chief prosecutor in an American military court
- How Americans debated what their culture would look like after independence
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
🎙️ New episode
T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American?
Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American?
Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
September 15, 2026 at 1:43 PM
🎙️ New episode
T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American?
Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
T. H. Breen explores Burgoyne's demands, Henley's trial, the public's response, and the question: What did it actually feel like, in real towns among real people, to stop being British? What did it mean to be American?
Listen to episode 451: www.benfranklinsworld.com/451
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 15, 2026 at 12:12 AM
The newest historical research does recovers the stories of people the record overlooked.
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World and Clio Digital Media works to make sure that history isn't hidden behind paywalls.
Help us keep it free, and make room for more of it. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
🎙️ Episode 450 of BFW explores:
- Where Lenape history begins
- How the Lenape became known as the Delaware
- Lenape experiences of the Seven Years' War
- Lenape participation in Pontiac's War
- Lenape traditions of diplomacy and the role of the Sakima
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
- Where Lenape history begins
- How the Lenape became known as the Delaware
- Lenape experiences of the Seven Years' War
- Lenape participation in Pontiac's War
- Lenape traditions of diplomacy and the role of the Sakima
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
September 14, 2026 at 7:31 PM
🎙️ Episode 450 of BFW explores:
- Where Lenape history begins
- How the Lenape became known as the Delaware
- Lenape experiences of the Seven Years' War
- Lenape participation in Pontiac's War
- Lenape traditions of diplomacy and the role of the Sakima
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
- Where Lenape history begins
- How the Lenape became known as the Delaware
- Lenape experiences of the Seven Years' War
- Lenape participation in Pontiac's War
- Lenape traditions of diplomacy and the role of the Sakima
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
Do you think the United States still bases its foreign policy on commercial relationships rather than military ones? John Adams hoped it would. 250 years later, can you see traces of his Model Treaty in American diplomacy today?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444
September 14, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Do you think the United States still bases its foreign policy on commercial relationships rather than military ones? John Adams hoped it would. 250 years later, can you see traces of his Model Treaty in American diplomacy today?
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/444
History Belongs to Everyone.
Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public.
As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public.
As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM
History Belongs to Everyone.
Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public.
As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Ben Franklin's World is a part of a nonprofit, Clio Digital Media, that believes in bringing more history to the public.
As 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so much of our support comes from listeners and readers like you.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
Three Lenape leaders signed the Treaty of Fort Pitt in September 1778.
It recognized the Delaware as a sovereign nation and promised them a 14th, native state.
Then everything changed seven weeks later.
Hear the full story in our new episode.
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
It recognized the Delaware as a sovereign nation and promised them a 14th, native state.
Then everything changed seven weeks later.
Hear the full story in our new episode.
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
September 14, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Three Lenape leaders signed the Treaty of Fort Pitt in September 1778.
It recognized the Delaware as a sovereign nation and promised them a 14th, native state.
Then everything changed seven weeks later.
Hear the full story in our new episode.
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
It recognized the Delaware as a sovereign nation and promised them a 14th, native state.
Then everything changed seven weeks later.
Hear the full story in our new episode.
🔗 www.benfranklinsworld.com/450
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
2026-2027 Annual Campaign
History Belongs to Everyone—Including the People History Forgot.
William and Benjamin Frank were brothers, Black men freeborn in Rhode Island. They enlisted in the Continental Army in 1777. William served through Yorktown. Benjamin crossed to British
cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com
September 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In our award-winning podcast, you sit in on conversations with the historians doing this work.
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
It's rigorous. It's free. It's for people who never stopped wanting to learn.
Last year, 44% of our funding came from listeners and readers.
Help us keep it free. cliodigital.app.neoncrm.com...
The Declaration of Independence was just one leg of a three-legged stool. The other two legs: a confederation plan and a French alliance. Without all three, the stool of independence wouldn't stand.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/443
#Revolution250 #America250 #Hstory #USHistory
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/443
#Revolution250 #America250 #Hstory #USHistory
September 13, 2026 at 2:52 PM
The Declaration of Independence was just one leg of a three-legged stool. The other two legs: a confederation plan and a French alliance. Without all three, the stool of independence wouldn't stand.
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/443
#Revolution250 #America250 #Hstory #USHistory
🎧 www.benfranklinsworld.com/443
#Revolution250 #America250 #Hstory #USHistory