7th Annual Fourth of July Show – The First 50 Years

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Show Summary: It’s I Spy’s Seventh Annual Fourth of July Show! This year, we’re looking at the first 50 years of America, when we nearly didn’t survive. Tune in to hear what was tearing us apart and why we came back together.

Did you miss the Show? You can download the podcast but you should go here to find out when, where, and how to listen so you don’t miss the next.

Air Dates: July 1 & 2, 2017 | Greg Leo

Hot dogs, apple pie, picnics, fireworks! What a great time of the year. And once again we’re joined by Greg Leo (greg@theleocompany.com), I Spy’s “in house” historian, for our annual Fourth of July Show.

On last year’s annual Fourth of July show, we talked about the English Civil War and America’s first big milestone, the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1826 and all the festivities for the jubilee.  This year, we’re taking a closer look at those fifty years in between.

Like today, there was a lot of disunity in America.  Having fought two wars with the strongest nation in the world, America was being pulled apart by the War of 1812 and many states weren’t on board with disenfranchising themselves from England. There were secret political meetings to undermine the President. And just like today, there was also a fierce battle going on between the two political parties, the Federalists and the Republicans.  One wanted to grow the federal government while the other wanted it to shrink.

Tune in to find out how and why America prevailed and how the second and third generations of the Revolution managed to keep alive the most extraordinary experiment of self-governance — the American Republic.  And don’t miss the last letter Thomas Jefferson ever wrote, as his poor health forced him to decline an invitation to attend the 50th Jubilee, that for one last time clearly and poignantly expressed the heart and soul of the Declaration of Independence.

Join us to celebrate July 4^th, our Independence Day!

Fun Stuff for the Fourth of July

• Rare historical photos of veterans of the American Revolution
• Got a family? Looking for something to do? Head to the historic Newell House in Champoeg (between Portland and Salem) for a fun, history filled Fourth of July
• Weather in Philadelphia the week of July 4, 1776 (you can see Jefferson’s handwritten temperature recordings here)
• Read the Declaration of Independence

Links and Research

• Terrific article on the 50th Anniversary celebration, July 4 in 1826 (American Heritage)
• “Respected Sir” — the last letter of Thomas Jefferson, declining the invitation to the 50th Anniversary celebration
• The Spirit of ‘76 (Washington Free Beacon)
• The Fourth of July, birth of Independence Day, early Fourth of July celebrations, and more from the History Channel
• More on the “Era of Good Feelings” during the Monroe era
• List of battles during the American Revolution
• Yes, it’s Wikipedia but a good article on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence
• The Olive Branch Petition articles here (“Revolutionary War and Beyond,” an independent history site), here (History Channel), and here (Wikipedia)
• Read John Adams’ letter that was intercepted and leaked that spoiled the Olive Branch Petition
• Greg’s company is the Leo Company and can be found here