Perspectives S37/Ep30 The Unfinished Business of 1776

As America marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there’s celebration, reflection, and for many people, some difficult questions. Who gets included in the American story? Have we lived up to the promises written into our founding documents? And is patriotism something to reclaim, redefine or reject? My guest today says the American Revolution isn’t just history ... it’s unfinished business. Thomas Richards Jr. is a historian, educator and author of The Unfinished Business of 1776: Why the American Revolution Never Ended. In the book, he argues that the struggle over freedom, equality, opportunity and who America is for didn’t end in 1776—it continues today. This conversation may challenge some assumptions and invite us to look at our history—and our future—with fresh eyes.