These Daring Revolutionary-Era Artists Promoted the Patriot Cause From the Heart of Enemy Territory
A new book explores how painters, sculptors and writers, especially women and people of color, used their craft to advocate for American independence while living in George III’s capital city
The National Archives Museum Is Using A.I. to Take Visitors on an Immersive Journey Through American History
Called “The American Story,” the new permanent exhibition will guide museumgoers through two million historic documents and artifacts
Meet the Defiant Loyalists Who Paid Dearly for Choosing the Wrong Side in the American Revolution
American colonists who aligned with the British lost their lands, their reputations and sometimes even their lives
The Roots of U.S. Work Culture—and Why the American Dream Is So Difficult to Achieve Today
A new book examines the evolution of the American workplace, interrogating the idea that hard work is enough to ensure success
After Failing Math Twice, a Young Benjamin Franklin Turned to This Popular 17th-Century Textbook
A 19th-century scholar claimed that “Cocker’s Arithmetick” had “probably made as much stir and noise in the English world as any [book]—next to the Bible”
Scientists Use Cold War-Era Spy Plane to Find Unexpected Gamma Rays in Thunderstorms
The new findings bring storm researchers one step closer to solving the mystery of how lightning forms
The Paris Games’ Mascot, the Olympic Phryge, Boasts a Little-Known Revolutionary Past
The Phrygian cap, also known as the liberty cap, emerged as a potent symbol in 18th-century America and France
Benjamin Franklin Was the Nation’s First Newsman
Before he helped launch a revolution, Benjamin Franklin was colonial America’s leading editor and printer of novels, almanacs, soap wrappers, and everything in between
The Real Story Behind Apple TV+’s ‘Franklin’
A new limited series starring Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin revisits the founding father’s years as the American ambassador to France
How Ben Franklin Invented the Library as We Know It
Books were rare and expensive in colonial America, but the founding father had an idea
This Russian Noblewoman, Beloved by Catherine the Great and Benjamin Franklin, Embodied the Age of Enlightenment
Princess Dashkova led research institutes, wrote plays and music, and embarked on a Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe
![The Bostonians’ “preferred outcome” was for the tea to be “peacefully sent back to London,” says historian Benjamin L. Carp. “It’s only when they find out … the governor is not going to let [that happen] that they say, ‘Well, we have no choice [but] to destroy [the tea].”](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/lLFEV_l4bYrTwLVuyHA0XPdcBVc=/450x300/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/43/66/43662967-ea0e-4ff2-8c9a-6f79fb77e472/tea-party.jpg)
The Many Myths of the Boston Tea Party
Contrary to popular belief, the 1773 protest opposed a tax break, not a tax hike. And it didn’t immediately unify the colonies against the British
The Masonic Murder That Inspired the First Third Party in American Politics
Public outcry over whistleblower William Morgan’s disappearance gave rise to the Anti-Masonic Party, which nominated a candidate for president in 1832
Ben Franklin Lives in Your Smartphone
The 18th-century inventor discovered concepts that impact modern technology
When Benjamin Franklin Shocked Himself While Attempting to Electrocute a Turkey
The statesman was embarrassed by the mishap—no doubt a murder most fowl
Unraveling the Colonialist Myths of Nova Scotia
Planners saw the region as a blank space ripe for transformation: the perfect canvas for imperial fantasies
Secret 17th-Century Passageway Discovered in British House of Commons
Parliament has posted photos of its members and collaborators delighting in the discovery
Cache of Benjamin Franklin’s Original Manuscripts—Doodles and All—Gets Digitized
The Library of Congress recently released approximately 8,000 letters, drafts and documents from the founding father
Welcome to Salem, Witches: “Timeless” Season 2, Episode 4, Recapped
Rescuing a very important American figure takes just a little tweaking of the historical record
What the Founding Fathers’ Money Problems Can Teach Us About Bitcoin
The challenges faced by the likes of Ben Franklin have a number of parallels to today’s cryptocurrency boom
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