Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters

Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters

Author: The New York Historical March 2, 2026 Duration: 36:57
At the beginning of 1776, virtually no one in the colonies was advocating independence. What changed over the course of one year? From Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in January to the Continental Congress that first grounded the idea of independence, historian Edward Larson, in conversation with David M. Rubenstein, traces a narrative path that reminds us why, as we approach the 250th anniversary of American independence, 1776 matters. Recorded on January 26, 2026

David M. Rubenstein sits down with some of the most insightful historians and writers working today for conversations that feel less like a lecture and more like a discovery. For the Ages: A History Podcast, from The New York Historical, digs into the events and figures that define not just the American experience, but world history. Each episode is built around a genuine dialogue, where presidential legacies, the ideas of the founding era, and the often-overlooked individuals who propelled change are examined with fresh perspective. You’ll hear stories that challenge simple narratives, finding the unexpected connections and human complexities behind the dates and names. This podcast thrives on the depth and nuance that these expert guests bring, moving from broad societal shifts to intimate personal histories. It’s for anyone who believes the past is never truly settled and that understanding it requires listening to those who have dedicated their lives to its study. The production emphasizes clarity and substance, allowing the conversations to unfold at a pace suited for thoughtful reflection, whether you're a longtime history enthusiast or just curious about how we got here. Tune in for a series of engaging discussions that make history feel immediate and remarkably relevant to our contemporary world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

For the Ages: A History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
John Adams: His Life and Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:12
In addition to being America’s first vice president and second president, Founding Father John Adams was a diplomat, the father of another president, and an avid diarist. In this conversation with David M. Rubenstein, Go…
The Lyndon B. Johnson Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
Irrevocably tied to the tragedy of the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson’s political legacy is also marked by his radical push to reimagine American life. Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Caro, author of The Power Broker…
The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote (RE-RELEASE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:21
Please enjoy this re-release of a past episode of For the Ages. New episodes will return Fall 2025. The women’s suffrage movement was a hard-fought, decades-long campaign to extend that most essential of democratic right…
Justice Deferred: Race and the Supreme Court (RE-RELEASE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
Please enjoy this re-release of a past episode of For the Ages. New episodes will return Fall 2025. While the Supreme Court is often presented in American history as a protector of civil liberties, its record across the…
One Nation Under God: A History of Religion in America (RE-RELEASE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:56
Please enjoy this re-release of a past episode of For the Ages. New episodes will return Fall 2025. Enshrined in our Constitution and etched into our currency, religion is inextricable from the fabric of American politic…
America’s Ongoing Reconstruction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
Lasting from 1865 to 1877, Reconstruction in the American South was an aspirational endeavor that brought with it newly enshrined rights for Black Americans, including Black male suffrage, birthright citizenship, and equ…