Revolution 250: America's Independence Story at The National Archives

In this episode we explore the Revolution 250 exhibit at The National Archives in Kew, from 24 June 2026 to 29 November 2026: [Revolution 250](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/revolution-250-americas-independence-story-1763-1783/) America's Independence Story 1763–1783 Britain and America. One Story, Two Nations Topics include the following: -the story of the distribution of the Declaration first around the Colonies and then around the world -a description of the National Archive's collection of early prints of the Declaration, including the extremely rare Dunlap Broadsides -the fascinating stories of how these prints arrived in London, enclosed in letters from various British officials in the Colonies, such as Admiral Richard Howe and General William Howe -an overview of the historical scope of the exhibition from 1763 to 1783 -the practicalities of preserving, sorting, and storing records in the National Archives -the importance of intelligence gathering by Imperial officials in the Colonies, including the interception of letters and the creation of lists of likely rebels and loyalists -an overview of the intercepted letters at the exhibition and an assessment of the British intelligence operation during the run up to the war and the war itself -the Parliamentary debate in Britain in 1778 about the substance of the complaints in the Declaration of Independence -the experience of indigenous people and enslaved people during this period The cover image features a Dunlap broadside, printed in Philadelphia on the night of the 4th of July 1776.