<p>In celebration of America’s 250th, we’d like to officially invite you to enjoy this special episode telling the tale of that audacious, terrifying, and formative step taken by the Second Continental Congress to declare Independence in the summer of 1776. Fought over bitterly on July 1st, voted on affirmatively on the 2nd, with the exact wording finalized on the 4th—I mean, how could we not resurface episode #8’s account of this story for this week?&nbsp;<br><br>If you’re new here, you may not have listened to it—here’s your chance. And if you’ve been listening for a while, take a step back with me and remember why we revere this document.&nbsp;</p><p><br>This is the story of independence and crushed hope.<br><br>Congress is finally declaring independence but it isn’t a straightforward process. Delegates have different perspectives; John Adams and John Dickinson are taking the floor to argue passionately for and against it. The vote will come down to the wire.<br><br>It’s also time to bring the "$10" Founding Father into the story. That’s right. We’ll meet Alexander Hamilton, get the backstory of his rough childhood in the Caribbean, and see how he ends up in the Big Apple.<br><br>Speaking of NYC, George Washington has chased Lord William Howe from Boston to Manhattan, but this is a very different battlefield. He’s going to have a harder go here than he did in New England. Much harder.<br><br>Connect with us on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://HTDSpodcast.com">HTDSpodcast.com</a> and</p><ul><li>order <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.htdspodcast.com/book">Prof. Jackson’s new book</a></li><li>go deep into <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.htdspodcast.com/bibliography">episode bibliographies</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.htdspodcast.com/book-recommendations">book recommendations</a></li><li>join discussions in our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/257926761619618/">Facebook community</a></li><li>get news and discounts from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.htdspodcast.com/newsletters-1">The HTDS Gazette</a>&nbsp;</li><li>come <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.htdspodcast.com/live-shows">see a live show</a></li><li>get <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://htds-team-shop.fourthwall.com/">HTDS merch</a></li></ul><p>HTDS is part of<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.audacy.com/"> Audacy media network</a>. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://audacyinc.com/contact"> </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Audacyinc.com">Audacyinc.com</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://audacyinc.com/contact">.</a></p>