Celebrate America 250 Podcast

Follow Eric Buchanan As He Guides You Through A 250 Year March Through The Founding of America!

The Olive Branch Petition!

In this episode of Celebrate America 250, Eric Buchanan guides listeners back to July 1775 in Philadelphia, where delegates of the Continental Congress secretly met in sweltering conditions to debate the future of the colonies. The discussion centers on the Olive Branch Petition, the last attempt to reconcile with King George III before full independence. Listeners are reminded of the tensions of the time, balancing hope for peace with the growing push for liberty, as the Founders weighed loyalty, compromise, and the risks of open rebellion.

Headlines from History – 250 Years Celebrating America! George Washington Arrives in Boston!

Eric Buchanan reflects on George Washington’s arrival in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 3, 1775, where he assumed command of the Continental Army. The discussion explores the intrigue, danger, and determination of the period as the colonies faced the world’s most powerful empire. With insights into the early actions of the Continental Congress and the challenges of forming a united resistance, the episode highlights the bravery and leadership that set the stage for American independence.

The Battle of Bunker Hill!

Eric Buchanan and Clint revisit the pivotal events of June 1775 leading up to the Battle of Bunker Hill. They set the stage with context from the Continental Congress, the growing tension between the colonies and Britain, and the atmosphere of uncertainty as the Revolutionary War began to unfold. The discussion captures the intrigue, danger, and determination of the time, emphasizing how bravery and sacrifice at Bunker Hill symbolized the colonies’ commitment to independence despite overwhelming odds.

Siege of Boston Continues – Creation of the Army and George Washington Appointed General

Eric Buchanan and Clint take listeners back to May 1775, when 15,000 colonial militia surrounded Boston in the early stages of the Revolutionary War. The discussion explores the Second Continental Congress and its monumental decision to create a Continental Army, ultimately appointing George Washington as its commander. This moment marked a turning point in the colonies’ struggle, transforming local resistance into an organized fight for independence.

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

Eric Buchanan and Clint revisit the events of April and May 1775, focusing on the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10. The discussion highlights how this marked the first offensive operation of the American military and provided the colonists with much-needed artillery and supplies. This pivotal victory demonstrated both the determination and resourcefulness that would drive the Revolution forward.

PART 3-The Bloody March Back – The Battles of Lexington and Concord!

This episode continues the story of the opening clashes of the Revolutionary War with a focus on the aftermath of the battles of Lexington and Concord. The discussion centers on the “bloody march back” as British troops retreated to Boston under constant fire from colonial militia. This pivotal moment illustrated the determination of the colonists, transforming protest into armed resistance.

Part 2 – The Battles of Lexington and Concord

A deeper look into the unfolding events of April 1775, separating myth from fact and highlighting the significance of these encounters. The episode emphasizes how ordinary colonists stood up to British troops, sparking a movement that would grow into a full-scale fight for independence.

Part 1 – The Battles of Lexington and Concord: England’s Horrible-Terrible-Very Bad Day

Eric Buchanan and Clint examine the dramatic events of April 18–19, 1775, when British troops marched from Boston to seize colonial weapons at Concord. The conversation covers Paul Revere’s warning, the first shots at Lexington, and the escalating conflict that turned into open warfare.

Paul Revere and His WILD Ride!

Eric Buchanan and Clint revisit Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride on April 18, 1775. While many have heard the legendary version, the discussion digs deeper into the real story, exploring how Revere and other riders spread the alarm that British troops were marching from Boston toward Concord. This pivotal moment illustrates the urgency and coordination of the colonial resistance, showing how ordinary citizens played critical roles in setting the stage for the first battles of the American Revolution.

March 23rd, 1775 – Patrick Henry: “Give me liberty or give me death!”

In this episode of Celebrate America 250, Eric Buchanan and Clint revisit Patrick Henry’s legendary speech delivered on March 23, 1775, at the Virginia Convention. The discussion places the speech in the broader context of the Coercive Acts, growing colonial unrest, and the role of committees of correspondence in uniting the colonies. Patrick Henry’s bold words captured the urgency of the moment and helped inspire the resolve that would soon lead to open conflict with Britain.

The Coercive Acts

Eric Buchanan and Clint discuss the Coercive Acts of 1774, known in the colonies as the Intolerable Acts. These laws, passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, were designed to tighten control over the colonies but instead fueled greater resentment and unity among the colonists. The conversation explores how these measures restricted self-governance, closed Boston Harbor, and set the stage for broader resistance.

The 1st Continental Congress

Eric Buchanan and Clint examine the First Continental Congress of 1774, when delegates from twelve colonies gathered in Philadelphia to respond to British policies and increasing tensions. The discussion explores how the Congress marked the first major step toward unified colonial action, including agreements on boycotts, petitions to the Crown, and the creation of a framework for cooperation among the colonies.

The Committees of Correspondence! The summer of 1774!

Eric Buchanan and Clint discuss the Committees of Correspondence, an early network of communication among the American colonies during the summer of 1774. These committees allowed colonial leaders to share information, coordinate responses to British policies, and build unity across the colonies at a crucial moment in the lead-up to revolution.

The Boston Port Act of 1774

Eric Buchanan and Clint revisit the Boston Port Act, one of the Coercive Acts passed by Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. The act closed the port of Boston until damage was repaired, crippling the city’s economy and inflaming tensions between Britain and the colonies. This episode highlights how the act deepened colonial resentment, rallied support for Massachusetts, and helped push the colonies closer to united resistance against British rule.

Ben Franklin and The Privy Council! From Compromise to Patriot!

Eric Buchanan and Clint explore a turning point in Benjamin Franklin’s life when he appeared before the British Privy Council in 1774. Once a proponent of compromise with Britain, Franklin endured a public humiliation that shifted his perspective and helped transform him into a committed advocate for American independence. This episode underscores how Franklin’s transformation mirrored the colonies’ broader shift from seeking reconciliation to demanding liberty.