Patriots of the Past

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s August 17, 1771. I’m at a slave auction in Richmond, Virginia, with Quaker …

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s March 5, 1770. I’m at the site of the Boston Massacre where the …

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s March 23, 1765. I’m in London, England in the court of King George …

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s August 4, 1735. I’m in New York City at the trial of newspaper …

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s July 7, 1647. I’m in Maryland with the governor’s executor, Margaret Brent. JG: …

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie. It’s a beautiful summer afternoon in 1636. I’m at the home of Puritan preacher, …

It’s April 2, 1850. I’m at the home of 89-year-old Joseph Martin. Mr. Martin was a teenage soldier during the American War for Independence. JG: “Mr. Martin, what is that …

It’s March 5, 1841. I’m at the Capitol Building with Secretary of State Daniel Webster. JG: “Mr. Secretary, what words of yours will be put on the cornerstone of the …

It’s September 14, 1836. I’m in the House of Representatives with ex-President John Quincy Adams. JG: “Congressman Adams, what is this gag rule?” JQA: “Mr. Gillespie, the gag rule is …

It’s December 26, 1834. I’m visiting with former President James Madison, the Father of the Constitution. JG: “Mr. President, how would you sum up your ideas on government?” JM: “John, …

It’s December 2, 1833. I’m in Washington D.C. with Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. JG: “Justice Story, what are a few of the key points of your book Commentaries on …

It’s March 4, 1833. I’m at the second inaugural address of President Andrew Jackson. Let’s listen in as he concludes his address. AJ: “Finally, it is my most fervent prayer …

It’s March 23, 1832. I’m with Alexis de Tocqueville and we’re discussing his book Democracy in America. JG: “Monsieur de Tocqueville, yesterday you said that Christianity was the key to …

It’s March 22, 1832. I’m in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with French writer, Alexis de Tocqueville. He’s writing a book titled Democracy in America, JG: “Monsieur De Tocqueville, what would you …

It’s September 17, 1829. I’m in the living room with homemaker Elizabeth Braxton. She’s teaching her five children. JG: “Mrs. Braxton, what are you using for textbooks in your homeschool …

It’s July 7, 1826. I’m at a tea party with Caroline Adams, the granddaughter of our second president, John Adams. JG: “Caroline, what words of wisdom did your grandfather leave …

It’s the eve of July 4, 1826. I’m at the home of John Adams with his granddaughter, Susanna. We’ve just received news that the author of the Declaration of Independence, …

It’s January 8, 1815. I’m with Major General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. JG: “General Jackson, I thought there was a peace treaty signed.” AJ: “The army …

It’s September 14, 1814. I’m with Francis Scott Key who was an eyewitness to last night’s battle. JG: “Mr. Key, tell us what happened.” FSK: “John, I went out to …

It’s August 24, 1814. I’m in the White House, and the British army is attacking the Capitol. The First Lady, Dolley Madison, is giving orders to take a painting of …