Don Wildman

Their influence, their fortunes, their lives.

But for these men, the risk was worth it, and this document would go on to become one of the most influential texts in human civilization.

It was the Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America, more commonly known as the Declaration of Independence.

What happened over the years prior to this day that pushed these men to such drastic action?

How was this vaunted document even created?

What entrenched disagreements over its writing influenced its structure, wording, and message?

And what greater movements and ideas were inspired by this message?

All these questions we'll attempt to answer in this episode.

Joined by our expert guest, Michael Haddam, author of Memory of 76, The Revolution in American History,

His newest work, titled The Declaration of Independence, A Concise History, will be published in the fall of 2026.

Michael Haddon, welcome back to American History Hit.

Thank you for having me back now.

Let's take this conversation in three parts, if we will.

What led up to the creation of the document, its origins and context, then its actual composition, the writing of the thing, and finally, its immediate impact and beyond, the legacy of the Declaration, all that and more.

Before we begin, I want to ask you, was the Declaration of Independence truly that revolutionary and why?

Well, Lincoln demonstrated it with the Gettysburg Address, and we are doing it in our own small way later on.

This is a document that deserves reconsideration and relevancy in every age that you approach it.

So here we are at 250 years doing the same thing.

So let's first rewind prior to 76 to the origins of this rebellious spirit that's been spreading across the colonies.

It really starts in the aftermath of the French and Indian War, the Seven Years' War, 1754 to 63.