Ben Franklin's World
Ben Franklin's World is an award-winning podcast about early American history hosted by historian Liz Covart, Ph.D. It's for people who love and enjoy history and want to know more about the people, places, and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world. Ben Franklin's World also offers a weekly newsletter "History Behind the Headlines." Each week, Liz explores the early American origins and precedents of a topic from our modern-day headlines.
The Secret Peace Deal That Shook the Revolution—And Why It Matters Now
Hello, Reader.. Sometimes, the most important battles happen behind closed doors. The United States has initiated backchannel diplomatic talks with Russia concerning the war in Ukraine, but tensions are rising. European nations are expressing concerns over being excluded from these talks and emphasize that any peace talks need to include both Ukraine and Europe to ensure a comprehensive and lasting peace.[1] That warning has echoes. In 1782, during the United States' fight for Independence,...
⚖️ Trail of Tears to Deportations: What Happens When Presidents Defy Judges?
Hello, Reader.. Sometimes history has a way of repeating itself. A constitutional clash is making headlines as the second Trump administration defied a court order to stop the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants from the United States.[1] This current event echoes a moment from nearly two centuries ago when President Andrew Jackson defied a Supreme Court ruling and set a dangerous precedent. What are the consequences when a president refuses to comply with a court ruling? Let's dive into the...
🇺🇸➡🇨🇦 When America Tried (and Failed) to Take Over Canada
Hello, Reader.. This week, President Trump floated the idea of the United States annexing Canada as its 51st state. While this notion is raising eyebrows today, the concept of adding Canada as a state is not entirely new. Did you know there were times when Canada almost became part of the United States? 🇨🇦➡🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Historical Perspective: Canada as a U.S. State 🇺🇸 🖼️ The Big Picture: The idea of Canada joining the United States isn't just modern speculation--it has deep historical roots. From...
Tariffs, Embargoes & Smugglers: The Trade Wars of Early America 🇺🇲
Hello, Reader.. We're hearing a lot about trade wars these days, and for good reason: The United States's proposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China went into effect this week, sparking new debates about economic policy. [1] These modern trade disputes are part of a long tradition of economic conflicts that have shaped global politics for centuries. To put this in perspective, trade disputes have played a crucial role in shaping the United States’s development from its...
Do We Have a Free Press When Government Controls Who Asks Questions? 🗞️
Hello, Reader. This week the White House announced that it would take a more active role in deciding which journalists are allowed inside its press briefing room, a responsibility long overseen by the White House Correspondents Association. This raises an important historical question: Can the press truly be free when those in power decide who gets to ask the questions? The Birth of Press Freedom in the United States 🇺🇸 🖼️ The Big Picture: The struggle for freedom of the press has deep roots...
Greetings from Cozumel: I'm on Vacation 🌴🐙
Greetings, Reader! Tim and I needed a break from the cold weather so we're on a scuba diving trip to Cozumel, Mexico. We started scuba diving in 2016. Since then we have visited reefs in Massachusetts, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Curaçao, Hawai'i, Costa Rica, the Philippines, and now Mexico. Sea turtles are my favorite underwater animal. I could watch them for hours, but I'd run out of air. I've seen a lot of different types of sea turtles, but one turtle I haven't seen in the wild is the...
The Surprising Origins of Executive Orders 🇺🇸
Hello, Reader. We're hearing a lot about executive orders these days, and for good reason: Since taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump has signed more than 75 executive orders. To put this in perspective, presidents sign an average of 216 executive orders over the course of a single, four-year term. [1] So what are the origins of the presidential executive order in the United States? A Historical Perspective: The Origins of Executive Orders in the United States 🖼️ The Big...
From 1789 to 2025: America's First Tariff War Echoes Today
Hello, Reader. When President Trump announced new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports last week, he joined a long American tradition of using trade policy as diplomatic leverage. Did you know the United States' first major law was about tariffs? A Historical Perspective: The 1789 Tariff Act 🖼️ The Big Picture: On July 4, 1789, Congress passed its first major piece of legislation-- An Act for laying a Duty on Goods, Wares, and Merchandises imported into the United States. Congress designed...
From Gulf of America to Your Town: The Politics of Place Names
Issue #2 HISTORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES Hello, Reader. Have you ever wondered how the names on our maps came to be? The recent debate over renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" the "Gulf of America" highlights how place names are not just labels on a map, but powerful symbols of history, identity, and authority. A Historical Perspective: The Power of Place Names Maps do more than just depict geography; they reflect the priorities, politics, and power of their creators. European mapmakers often named...
The Fight for Birthright Citizenship: Then and Now
Issue #1 HISTORY BEHIND THE HEADLINES Hello, Reader. With the recent debates over birthright citizenship making waves, you might be wondering: How did this principle come to define American identity? And how does our ability to move freely—through passports and citizenship—connect us to our nation’s past? In Episode 255, historian Martha S. Jones uncovers the history of the 14th Amendment, which established birthright citizenship in the United States. She explores how African Americans,...