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.
What George Washington Knew About Stopping a Virus
Greetings, Reader! The United States is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in decades. More than 900 cases have been confirmed across 30 states in 2025, with Texas reporting the majority. Although the World Health Organization declared measles to be eradicated in the United States in 2000, public health officials say declining vaccination rates have opened the door for its return. 📍Measles Resurfaces — What the Past Can Teach Us 🖼️ The Big Picture: Measles is a highly contagious and...
Where is Congress? 👀 James Madison Would Like a Word.
Hello, Reader. While listening to my morning news podcast this week, I heard the host mention that Congress passed a bipartisan bill. It struck me: This was the first time I had heard about Congress in several weeks. The headlines are all about Trump. Executive orders. Court challenges. Campaign rallies. In his first 100 days back in office, President Trump has signed over 140 executive actions, which have reshaped U.S. policy on immigration, energy, education, and the federal workforce....
This Week, the World Mourns. So Did America in 1790.
Hello, Reader.. The world paused this week. The death of Pope Francis stirred an outpouring of grief across nations and faiths-- a rare moment when billions stopped to honor a life that shaped our global conscience. But this isn't the first time a funeral has brought people to the streets. In 1790, as the young United States was still finding its voice, more than 20,000 mourners filled the streets of Philadelphia to say goodbye to Benjamin Franklin. What do these public moments of mourning...
Road Trip Adventures: Bourbon, Baseball, and Beyond 🥃 ⚾ 🚙
Greetings, Reader! As Tim and I prepare for our move back to Boston in June, we're checking Kentucky off my list—just five states to go before I've visited all 50! Our Kentucky adventure has been the perfect blend of America's favorite pastime and its native spirit. ⚾ Louisville: Where Bats Meet Bourbon Our first day took us to the Louisville Slugger factory and museum, where we witnessed the fascinating journey from forest to field. Wooden Billets used to make Baseball Bats. The company...
What Changed: Immigration, Then and Now
Hello, Reader.. Immigrants built early America and the early United States. Today, they're often portrayed as threats.Current headlines show how divided the United States has become over immigration. But two hundred years ago, the story looked very different: the United States sought more immigrants, not fewer. This week, let's explore how the United States' immigration stance has changed over time. 🧭 How a Nation's Identity Turned Inward 🖼️ The Big Picture: During the late 18th and early...
What George Washington and Elon Musk Have in Common
Hello, Reader.. Is it free speech or a $1 million bribe? As Elon Musk makes headlines for his America PAC's $1 million payments to Wisconsin voters-- what critics call vote-buying and defenders call protected speech-- we're witnessing the latest chapter in a centuries-old American political tradition. [1] This controversy raises an enduring question: Where is the line between influence and corruption in American democracy? Let's explore the surprisingly open history of vote buying in early...
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...