Growing Patriots

After the revolution, George and Martha Washington were ready to retire at Mount Vernon. But the American people had different plans for the Washingtons.

Learn all about Martha Washington in this episode!

Find out about George Washington's early military and political career.

Find out about George Washington's early life!

Find out about Benjamin Franklin's work as a writer and inventor in this last episode about our first founding father.

Benjamin Franklin spent most of the American Revolution in France. Find out what he was doing and how it was critical to American liberty!

Learn all about Benjamin Franklin's work in London.

Learn all about Benjamin Franklin's early life. What was he like as a child? How did it impact him as an adult? Find out now!

As we start to learn all about the Founding Fathers, let's talk about who they were and what it means to be a founder.

When our founders created America, they embraced a lot of new ideas – like liberty, equality, and justice. But who inspired our founders to see the world that way? In this episode, we talk about something called The Enlightenment and the philosophers who changed history.

Abraham Lincoln came after the founding period in American history, but he had a lot in common with our founders. In this episode, we're joined by Jon White, author of the children's book "My Day with Abe Lincoln" to tell us all about him!

There are some threads that go throughout colonial American history – things like liberty and justice. Here are a few to keep in mind!

In this episode, we go over 7 key moments from America's founding you should always remember.

Here are 5 things that happened during America's founding period that didn't get a full episode, but I still want you to know about!

How did Washington, D.C. become our capitol? We hear all about it with an expert from the United States Capitol Historical Society!

Once the Constitution had been ratified, it was time to America to choose its first president. We're joined by Dr. Colleen Shogan – the Archivist of the United States –to hear all about how George Washington was chosen and inaugurated.

We've learned an awful lot about the Constitution! In this episode, we're joined by Constitutional expert Clark Neily who breaks it down into the key themes and what we absolutely need to keep in mind.

The final two amendments in the Bill of Rights are all about who has the power – the people and the states. Here's how it all works.

Amendments 5-8 are all about protecting the rights of someone who has been accused of a crime. That's almost half of the whole Bill of Rights! So, why did our founders care so much? Let's find out.

The third and fourth amendments to the Constitution are all about making sure your home is safe from the government.

We’ve wrapped up our episodes on the First Amendment, and you know what that means – on to the second! People often argue about the Second Amendment – but do they know what it really says? In this episode, we’re joined by Second Amendment and firearms policy expert Stephen Gutowski from The Reload to give us the real scoop.

We're wrapping up the First Amendment with a minisode on the last two freedoms it protects – assembly and petition!

We continue exploring the First Amendment by learning all about Freedom of the Press!

We continue our exploration of the First Amendment by talking about free speech. What does it mean? What can you say? Are there any limitations? Listen now to find out!

In this episode, we get started on the First Amendment! It "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." So, what does it mean to have freedom of religion? Why was it so important to our founders? Listen to find out!

Before we learn about the rights protected in the Bill of Rights, let's learn what rights really are!

The Constitution had been made the law of the land, but our founders wanted to make sure the people – and the government – knew certain fundamental rights could not be trampled upon.

We've talked about the Legislative and Judicial Branches. Now, it's time to learn what the Executive Branch does!

We continue to explore the different branches of government by learning all about the Judicial Branch. We're joined by Judge Don Willett to tell us what it does and how it all works.

There are three branches of government in America – Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. In this episode, we find out what the legislative branch does!

Christmas flashback! Two things I love are Christmas and learning about colonial America, so I am crazy about this previously-airedepisode. Matt Arthur from Tryon Palace in North Carolina joins us to answer Christmas questions from the incredible 6 year-old Ella. In this episode, learn all about how Christmas was celebrated in Colonial times.

With Hanukkah celebrations underway around the world, we're revisiting this previously-aired episode to talk about how Jewish holidays were celebrated in colonial America. 12 year-old Zachary joins us with questions about holidays and Jewish culture, and Andrew Porwancher, history professor with the University of Oklahoma, joins us to answer them!

After getting rid of a tyrannical king, our founders wanted to make sure no one could have that much power in America. So, they split the power into three branches of government, each with a specific job do to. And, if they get out of line, the other branches can check them and balance things out. Here's how it works.

We've all heard the story of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth. But there was a Thanksgiving before that – in Virginia! Here's the story.

This Veteran's Day, we're flashing back to our episode about how the American military was first created!

If you missed this episode the first time around (are just wanted to hear it another time) – here it is again! From harvest festivals to bonfire night, here are some of the ways autumn was celebrated in colonial America.

When our founders were deciding how our presidents would be elected, they had to figure out a way to make it fair for everyone. What they came up with was ingenious – an electoral college.

A look at Halloween from ancient times until today!

10 fun facts about the Constitution!

When our founders were setting up a new country, that had to make sure that they set up a new government that represented everyone. Here's how they got it done.

Our founders created a constitution that would limit the government. That means the people have to be strong and brave. Our friend from the James Madison Institute joins us to explain.

How did the Constitution come to be? We have a quick look at the Constitutional Convention in this minisode!

Our founders had to choose what kind of government America would have – and they chose a republic. What does that mean and how does it work? And why did Benjamin Franklin famously say we have a "republic, if we can keep it"? Find out in this episode!

WE THE PEOPLE. Those are the first three words of the preamble to the Constitution – and one of the most famous phrases in the world. But what's a preamble and what does it do? Find out in this episode!

What's a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? In this episode, we find out!

What is a Constitution? Why did we need one? Does it still matter today? Today, we find out.

Now that America was its very own country, our founders had to figure out how to run it! The Articles of Confederation helped with that.

At long last, the American Revolution comes to an end. Liberty wins!

The battle season of 1780 was a big one – with a major plot twist toward the end!

Washington and his men were encamped at Morristown, New Jersey during the winter of 1779-80 – one of the harshest winters in history.