FOUNDING FATHERS

The Time Ben Franklin and John Adams Shared a Bed

The Founding Fathers were forced to shack up for a night. Then argued over the window.

214 Years After His Death, Alexander Hamilton Is Finally Getting a Law Degree

Better late than never?

10 of Benjamin Franklin’s Lesser-Known Feats of Awesomeness

Some of Benjamin Franklin’s accomplishments—like his kite experiment and signing the Declaration of Independence—are pretty iconic. Here are 10 of his lesser-known contributions to society that are worth celebrating as well.

Scientists Reveal Long-Hidden Text in Alexander Hamilton Letter

And it's kind of racy.

The Pawpaw: The All-American Fruit the Country Forgot

The custardy fruit was once abundant.

Long After Alexander Hamilton's Death, His Son and Rival Aaron Burr Dueled in Divorce Court

Hamilton’s son appears to have had the last word against his father's nemesis in during a divorce trial.

You Can Now Read More Than 850 of Alexander Hamilton's Papers Online

The newly digitized letters span from his days as a clerk in St. Croix to the eve of his death.

Inside the Quest to Save 42 Giant Presidential Statues

One Virginia man is slowly building The Presidential Experience.

Hulton Archive/National Archive/Getty Images

50 Surprising Facts About America's Founding Fathers

George Washington's famous hairdo was not a wig, Benjamin Franklin liked to walk around nude, and 48 other facts no true patriot would want to miss.

The Race to Save Benjamin Franklin's Cracked Gravestone

How conservators, the public, and a rock star came together to bring the grave of an American icon back from the brink.

The Founding Father has some sage advice.

11 Life Lessons From Alexander Hamilton

"Don't duel" is a given. Here are few other pearls of wisdom from one of America's most familiar Founding Fathers.

Boston Public Library via Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

12 Favorite Haunts of the Founding Fathers You Can Still Visit Today

Grab a beer at Philadelphia's City Tavern, just like George Washington.

Martha Washington Called a Visit From Jefferson One of the Worst Experiences of Her Life

George Washington was guarded about what he publicly said about Jefferson. His wife was a little more forthcoming.

Hamilton wrote that "The roaring of the sea and wind, fiery meteors flying about it in the air, the prodigious glare of almost perpetual lightning, the crash of the falling houses, and the ear-piercing shrieks of the distressed, were sufficient to strike astonishment into Angels."

This is the Letter Hamilton Wrote That Got Him Out of the West Indies

In August 1772, a hurricane ravaged the West Indies—and a young Alexander Hamilton picked up a pen to write about it. The resulting letter inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to start writing what would become the Broadway musical 'Hamilton.'

The Time Ben Franklin Casually Invented a Form of Kitesurfing

The Founding Father's other kite invention was extreme in its own right.

7 Things You Didn’t Know About the Revolutionary War

Remember that time George Washington returned a dog he found on a battlefield back to its British owner? Neither did we.

18th Century Men Wore Dresses Called Banyans

The flowing dresses signified education, refinement, and leisure.

Collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society

John and Abigail Adams: America's First Power Couple

The Adamses set the tone for generations of American political celebrity pairs to come.

12 of George Washington's Rules of Civility That Still Apply

Though some of the founding father’s rules are in need of a fresh coat of paint for modern life, these 12 are as appropriate as ever.

Betsy Ross Probably Didn't Sew the First Flag

In honor of Flag Day, we thought it was time you knew the truth.

John Vanderlyn, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

16 Facts About James Madison

At 5 feet 4 inches, Madison was America’s shortest commander-in-chief—but he left behind a towering legacy.

8 Complaints Real Colonists Had About British Rule

Here are eight real grievances aired by colonial citizens leading up to and during the Revolutionary War—in their own words.

What 11 Common Objects Would Cost in 2015 if Colonial Taxation Still Existed

Here is just how much 11 everyday items would cost if they were taxed today at the same levels they were in colonial America.

11 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Paul Revere

Everyone knows about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, but this patriot did a lot more to help America gain its independence. Here are 11 little-known facts about the Founding Father.

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