This Week, the World Mourns. So Did America in 1790.
Published about 24 hours agoΒ β’Β 4 min read
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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 tell us about who we are, and who we hope to be?
π When the World Pauses: From Pope Francis to Franklin
πΌοΈ The Big Picture: This week's global pause in honor of Pope Francis mirrors another collective mourning: Benjamin Franklin's funeral in April 1790. Both events show how societies grieve leaders who shaped their identities.
βοΈ Why It Matters: How we commemorate great lives reveals not just what we value, but who we are.
Franklin's and Francis' funerals show us the power of memory, unity, and the legacy of those who strive for something greater than themselves.
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ποΈ Then and Now: Two Funerals, One Theme
Benjamin Franklin (1790): Benjamin Franklin died at the age of 84 in Philadelphia on April 17, 1790. Four days later, more than 20,000 mourners-- nearly half of Philadelphia's population-- lined the city's streets as his casket was carried from Independence Hall to the Christ Chuch Burial Ground, where Franklin was interred next to his wife Deborah.
Franklin's funeral marked the largest public gathering in Philadelphia's history at the time.
Franklin's funeral cortege included members of the American Philosophical Society, city officials, and ordinary citizens. Pallbearers included:
General Thomas Mifflin (President of Pennsylvania)
Thomas McKean (Chief Justice of Pennsylvania)
Samuel Powell (Mayor of Philadelphia)
Thomas Willing (President of the Bank of North America)
David Rittenhouse (Astronomer and Professor)
William Bingham (Wealthy Assemblyman).
Franklin's death resonated beyond American shores. The French National Assembly declared three days of mourning-- a rare honor for a foreigner.[1] β βPope Francis (2025): Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 in Vatican City. Within 12 hours, more than 50,000 people visited his open casket in St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican kept its doors open overnight to meet the overwhelming turnout.
Leaders from around the globe, including United States President Donald Trump, Great Britain's Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, are expected to attend his funeral on April 26. [2]
While the men were vastly different, the public response to their deaths reveals a shared human instict to honor those who gave us vision and leadership.
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π―οΈ History's Echo
Franklin's Funeral = Revolutionary reverence.
At a time when the United States was still defining itself, Benjamin Franklin's passing united its early factions. Franklin had been a printer, philosopher, scientist, and statesman. He was a polymath who symbolized the Enlightenment's values in the fledgling republic.
Like Pope Francis,Franklin bridged worlds.
Franklin was elite and an everyman. He was religious but skeptical. He was a man of words, but revered for his actions.
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π§ Tune In For More
Want to explore the life of Benjamin Franklin in greater depth? Check out these episodes of Ben Franklinβs World:
π Episode 327: Go behind the scenes with producer David Schmidt to explore how Ken Burns' documentary brings Benjamin Franklin's multifaceted life to the screen.
π Episode 320: Discover Franklin's nearly 16-year residence in London with MarcΓa Baliciano, Founding Director of the Benjamin Franklin House and Museum.
π Episode 175: Author David Mark Epstein delves into the personal turmoil within the Franklin family during the American Revolution, focusing on the rift between Benjamin and his Loyalist son, William.
π Episode 207: Nick Bunker investigates the formative years of Franklin's life, revealing how his early experiences and family background laid the foundation for his later achievements in science, politics, and diplomacy.
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π―οΈ History's Echo
What do you think public funerals tell us about national identity, in 1790 and today?
I'm trying something new this week: a personal note.
The death of Pope Francis had me reflecting--not only on Franklin and Washington's funerals, but also on someone much closer to home: my best friend, Sprocket.
If you've followed the podcast for a while, you know that I love dogs and share my life with mini schnauzers. Sprocket was my PodDog assistant for many years. He passed away last year on April 25 at age 15. I miss him every day.
It might sound silly to some, but our bond was deep. He was my dog, and he let everyone know it. Tim and I rescued him at 8 months old, and he never forgot it. He was loyal, loving, and very smart. We just clicked.
This week, memories of Sprocket have been strong.
Sprocket when he was 5 or 6
β But life continues, and I still have schanuzers helping me out.
Meet Clio. She's our four-year-old brown-and-white parti schnauzer. She's sweet, intelligent, and a 2x agility league champion.
Clio
And Orbit, our all-white, super high-energy, almost 10-month-old schnauzer. We nearly named him Hubble, but "Orbit" stuck.
Orbit
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