All Americans can cite the famous words of the Declaration of Independence. “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.” For generations, the American Revolution served as a common source of inspiration to achieve the promise of fundamental human equality. Today, however, competing narratives about the American founding are a cause of division. History As It Happens podcast host Martin Di Caro interviews George Washington University historian Denver Brunsman about why the Revolution continues to occupy a primordial place in our collective consciousness. They also discuss the recent controversies over how the American past is taught.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.