Previewing America 250 | Public History Podcast

In this episode, we look ahead to America’s 250th anniversary and ask what this milestone should mean in 2026 and beyond.

The conversation ranges from the messy, decade-long road to revolution to the very local ways towns like Frederick, Maryland, are already marking the moment with traditions like Repudiation Day. Along the way, the crew wrestles with how we remember the founding, who gets included in that story, and what it means to celebrate a past that was never as simple as the textbooks made it seem.

Jake Wynn, Justin Voithofer, and Molly Keilty dig into the Revolution as a civil war, the long shadow of alliances with powers like France, and the way Ken Burns’ new documentary series could reshape what many Americans think they know about 1776. They also trace how the founding documents were built for change - and how modern politics has drifted from that idea.

This episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly explores:

America 250 and why one big birthday isn’t enough

Repudiation Day in Frederick and Frederick, Maryland's colonial protest

Molly’s London fog and accidental Tory vibes ☕

The Revolution as a civil war between neighbors

George Washington: bad tactician, essential rebel-in-chief

The Patriot, Heath Ledger, and Jake's historical movie watching habits

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