American colonists in Boston protested British rule with the Boston Tea Party incident on this day in 1773.

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Stat: 18. At least 18 British colonies existed in North America during the American Revolution—but, as we know, only 13 signed the Declaration of Independence.

Story: In honor of the Fourth of July, join "After the Fact" on an audio tour of key historic places in the city known as the Birthplace of America—Philadelphia. Temple University history professor Jessica Roney shares insights about America's Founding Fathers and illuminates the lesser-known history behind the formation of the United States.

Aboard a cargo ship bound for freedom, Ben finds himself staring down the barrel of the governor’s cannons. When Ben’s heroism earns him and his friends a death sentence, all of Boston rallies to his defense. A leader is born, and Ben is forced to make a decision that will change the course of American history.

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The American constitution is the most important document in the United States. What is the constitution and who wrote it - and why doesn’t the UK have one too? Ella and Mason find out…

Who makes the laws? That's what 5-year-old Paxton from Kelowna, British Columbia wants to know! We learn about laws with Mike Doyle of the Canadian organization Civix, and Syl Sobel, author of How the U.S. Government Works. We also answer a question from Charlotte in North Carolina: how do elections work? And Hattie in England asks why her country has a government and a queen.

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a very unusual lady who created an incredible museum in Boston. Unfortunately some of her paintings have gone missing. Charles Wilson Peale painted people, but he also created America's first museum - right upstairs from where they signed the Declaration of Independence. Also features Quiztime, You Have 30 Seconds, "All of Me" and more. Written and produced by Mick Sullivan. Isabella's story read by Jason Lawrence.

People have been doing the square dance since before the Declaration of Independence. But does that mean it should be THE American folk dance? That question took us on a journey from Appalachian front porches, to dance classes across our nation, to the halls of Congress, and finally a Kansas City convention center. And along the way, we uncovered a secret history of square dancing that made us see how much of our national identity we could stuff into that square, and what it means for a dance to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

Special thanks to Jim Mayo, Claude Fowler, Paul Gifford, Jim Maczko, Jim Davis, Paul Moore, Jack Pladdys, Mary Jane Wegener, Kinsey Brooke and Connie Keener. 

This episode was reported by Tracie Hunte and produced by Annie McEwen, Tracie Hunte, and Matt Kielty. Mix by Jeremy Bloom.

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Check out Phil Jamison's book,  “Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance”

Watch this 1948 Lucky Strike Cigarette Square Dancing Commercial

A rare image of Black Square Dancers in 1948

The Square Dance History Project

Read “America’s Wholesome Square Dancing Tradition is a Tool of White Supremacy,” by Robyn Pennachia for Quartz

And Pennachia’s original Twitter thread

Read “The State Folk Dance Conspiracy: Fabricating a National Folk Dance,” by Julianne Mangin

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