“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

This episode explores Frederick Douglass’ iconic speech—a reflection on the broken promises of equality and liberty laid out in the Declaration of Independence delivered in 1852. David Blight, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom, and Lucas Morel, an expert on Douglass, Lincoln, and African-American history, join host Jeffrey Rosen.

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Historians on George Washington

On July 3, 1775, George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army. In honor of that anniversary and of the Fourth of July holiday this weekend, we’re sharing a program featuring acclaimed historians Lindsay Chervinsky and Edward Larson discussing Washington and his role in the Revolutionary War and America’s founding.

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Explaining the Fight Over Virginia's Robert E. Lee Statues by Scott Bomboy

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The Supreme Court and the "Climate of the Era" by Marcia Coyle

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The National Constitution Center is celebrating Independence Week with lectures and discussions on the meaning of equality and freedom through the lens of the American Revolution. The Center’s robust selection of resources acknowledges America’s ongoing struggle to achieve the ideals expressed in our founding documents.

From the National Constitution Center:

Check out a variety of online videos, podcasts, essays, and more on our Independence Day resource page.

The Guarantee Clause

"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."

Read Interpretations on the Interactive Constitution >

Read > the roundup of this week's articles on The Battle for the Constitution—a partnership with The Atlantic that explores constitutional debates in American life.

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