America's many origin stories are still alive today

250 years of US independence – special edition ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

US Edition - Today's top story: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed about the American Revolution's meaning even as they lay dying View in browser 4 July 2026 US Edition   Growing up in Philadelphia, I took for granted all the historic sites that flavor the city. Sure, there were school trips to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House. But how many times have I passed, without more than a glance, the cobblestoned Elfreth’s Alley, lined with charming row homes where artisans lived in the 18th century? Or the Christ Church Burial Ground, the 300-year-old cemetery where Benjamin Franklin, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, was laid to rest? As the Philadelphia editor of The Conversation during this year’s semiquincentennial celebrations that mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, I have commissioned stories that explore the early history of my hometown – with many tidbits that never made it into my elementary school textbooks. For example, Marla Miller, a historian of early American craftswomen, writes about how Betsy Ross wasn’t just a sweet lady who happened to sew the first American flag. Ross, aka Elizabeth Claypoole, was a skilled artisan and successful government contractor and one of thousands of women whose labor helped build the new nation. Kimberly Nath’s research focuses on the overlooked experience of loyalists who wanted to remain faithful to the British Crown, and how they integrated into society after the Revolution. She shares the story of the wealthy Philly merchant Matthias Aspden, a loyalist who lived in exile after the war and spent decades trying to reclaim his life, identity and belongings left behind in Philadelphia – a city he loved and longed to return to. Add to these many distinctive pieces from the rest of our team and we’ve got an incredible collection to mark America’s 250th birthday. You’ll read about the long friendship and political rivalry between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. After a falling out, the two founders resumed a friendly correspondence in their old age, until both men died on July 4, 1826. You’ll learn about William Billings, the Revolutionary-era composer and patriot who wrote hundreds of “liberty songs,” some still sung today. And for all those who believe the country is a secular republic and also for those who consider it a Christian nation, find out what the Declaration of Independence does and does not say about religion.   Kate Kilpatrick Pennsylvania Editor   The men responsible for producing the Declaration of Independence, known as the Committee of Five, were, left to right: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, John Adams and Robert R. Livingston. Vintage etching circa late 19th century, digital restoration by Pictore via Getty Images John Adams and Thomas Jefferson disagreed about the American Revolution’s meaning even as they lay dying Marianne Holdzkom, Kennesaw State University The founding generation in America was not of one mind. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson differed on crucial ideas, but exemplify the capacity for people to disagree and yet work for a common cause. Special coverage: USA at 250 How did it feel to be an American colonist in 1776? Probably itchy, achy and slightly nauseated Katherine Ott, Smithsonian Institution The medical tools of the Revolutionary period help flesh out the picture of what physical well-being felt like for people living in the American colonies 250 years ago. Pepper pot stew was survival food for the poor and a path to freedom for Black women in early Philadelphia Carolyn Zola, California State University, East Bay Dina escaped from slavery and sold pepper pot stew on the streets of Philadelphia, while her enslaver tried to recapture her. Canada’s little-known role in helping to spur American independence in 1776 Sarah M.S. Pearsall, Johns Hopkins University Britain controlled vast tracts in North America beyond the original 13 Colonies. And the American invasion of Canada played a role in the final political settlement. What the Declaration of Independence does – and doesn’t – say about God Thomas Tweed, University of Notre Dame Debates about religion’s role in America often circle back to the country’s founding documents. How enslaved African Muslims resisted bondage through their faith and writing Nareman Amin, Michigan State University; Leila Tarakji, Michigan State University As the US approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, two scholars revisit the rich legacy of American Muslims. What Betsy Ross’ real story tells us about women’s work in the Revolution − and why it still matters 250 years later Marla Miller, UMass Amherst Betsy Ross probably did not sew the first American flag, but she was one of many craftswomen whose wartime labor helped build a nation. I study the Declaration of Independence, and here’s why the colonists’ grievances are surprisingly relevant, 250 years later Robert Parkinson, Binghamton University, State University of New York A partisan judiciary, arbitrary power, officials beyond the reach of the people – these are the grievances that drove a revolution. As the US turns 250, a forgotten founding influence helps explain its current unease Robert A. Ballingall, University of Maine Montesquieu shaped how Americans understood liberty, and his warning about a ‘tyranny of opinion’ speaks to today’s polarization. 2026 isn’t the first time Christians have tried to claim the United States as their own David Mislin, Temple University From the Civil War to the Cold War, existential fears have fueled claims that America is a Christian nation, a historian of US Christianity explains. Muslims were part of America’s story long before the republic began Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University Muslims were woven into both America’s founding population and its labor force, writes a scholar of Islam on the nation’s 250th anniversary. The Federalist remains an indispensable guide to understanding the constitutional system and the nation’s enduring independence Jordan Cash, Michigan State University You know how important the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were to making the United States. But do you know about The Federalist and the crucial role it played in the founding era? The American Revolution’s triumphant story of democracy and freedom overlooks loyalists who paid a steep price for allegiance to Britain Kimberly Nath, San Juan College Matthias Aspden was a wealthy Philadelphia businessman who remained faithful to Britain. As a result, he lost his home, property and sense of belonging, and died in exile. America’s musical founding father: ‘Liberty songs’ by a self-taught singer and tanner helped fuel the Revolution David W. Stowe, Michigan State University William Billings has been largely forgotten, except among music historians. But he was the country’s first notable composer, penning protest songs against Great Britain. How out-of-work fishermen saved the American Revolution Christopher Magra, University of Tennessee A British ban stripped thousands of skilled mariners of their livelihoods overnight – and gave Washington a chance to turn the tide. How a tiny Caribbean island made American independence possible R. Grant Gilmore III, College of Charleston The American Revolution was won not just by ideals and armies, but by the strategic trade networks of a small Caribbean port. How America’s independence from England revolutionized US philanthropy Amanda Moniz, Smithsonian Institution US charitable institutions rapidly changed in the 1780s as Americans established groups to support people in need and to reform society. A democracy or a republic? History shows that some Americans are asking the wrong question Barbara Clark Smith, Smithsonian Institution Is the US a democracy or a republic? That’s a misleading question, writes a historian of early America. The values of republicanism and the values of democracy have both been vital to the nation. The Conversation's News Quiz 100 years ago, the celebrated American road known as Route 66 was born. Route 66 ran from where to where? Independence, Missouri to Astoria, Oregon Chicago to Los Angeles Atlantic City to Las Vegas New Orleans to San Francisco   About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. 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