Episode 34: The First American Flag

Once the Revolutionary War started, we needed a flag so soldiers could tell each other apart on the battlefield. For this important job, they turned to Betsy Ross. Why did they pick her? Did George Washington like the flag? How did she feel about such an important job? This week, we're joined by Lisa Moulder from the Betsy Ross House as well as Betsy herself to answer these big questions! 

Painting depicting the story of Betsy Ross presenting the first American flag to General George Washington, by Edward Percy Moran, c. 1917. 

Portrait of Betsy

How to make a star like Betsy Ross!

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Episode 33: The Early Battles (NY and NJ)

We had declared independence, and the war was officially on. How did those first few battles in New York and New Jersey go fo American troops? Amelia is joined by 8 year-old Charlotte to find out all about The Battles of Long Island (also called The Battle of Brooklyn or The Battle of Brooklyn Heights), Harlem Heights, Valcour Island, and Fort Lee. 

Growing Patriots · Episode 33- Weapons Of The American Revolution

Learn more about the battles from the experts at Mount Vernon (George Washington's house)!

Washington and the New York Campaign of 1776 from Mount Vernon on Vimeo.

 

Episode 32: Weapons of the American Revolution

After the American colonies have declared independence, they had to fight for it! What kind of weapons did they have? What were they like? What did the British military have? How could we ever win?

In this episode, we take on those big questions with firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky.

The Delaware Regiment at the Battle of Long Island by Domenick D'Andrea, 1776

Coloring page source

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Here's how the guns you learned about work:

All about Revolutionary War firearms:

Take a virtual tour of the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg by clicking here to see their incredible display of guns and swords! Here's just one corner!

Check out some of the firearms you can see at Colonial Williamsburg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjY6JTBQF8

All about cannons.

https://youtu.be/ZtyVoXtEn1A

Episode 31: The Declaration of Independence

The colonies had met and decided it was time to be independent. First, they had to tell the king! In this episode, we're joined by Thomas Jefferson (sometimes he goes by Clay Jenkins) himself, the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, to tell us all about it. 

 

Read the Declaration of Independence here

Painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull

Coloring page source here

Source here

Source here

Episode 30: The Creation of the American Military

It was time for freedom, but it didn't come without a fight. The American colonies had to fight a war for their independence and the right man had to be in charge. George Washington stepped in as commander and the Continental Army took on the strongest military in the world.

General George Washington

Read George Washington's commission as Commander In Chief (photo above) here! 

George Washington coloring page

Coloring page found here