American Revolution | The Times That Try Men's Souls
6/17/202638 min
In July 1776, the British Royal Navy began landing a massive armada in New York Harbor, setting up the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War. In response, General George Washington faced the daunting challenge of preparing his motley army to defend New York and keep the colonists’ hopes alive.
In the months that followed, faith in the cause of independence began to waver, and the Continental Army teetered on the brink of collapse. But on Christmas night, the Patriots made a bold strike against the British Army that began with a daring crossing of the ic...
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsLindsay Graham· Host0:00
Hello, American History Teller listeners. I have an exciting announcement. I'm going on tour and coming to a theater near you. This live show is a thrilling evening of history, storytelling, and music with a full band accompanying me as we look back to explore the days that made America, and they aren't the days that you might think. Sure, everyone knows July fourth, seventeen seventy-six. We'll be hearing a lot about that date this year, but there are many other days that are maybe even more influential. So come out to see me live. More shows to be announced soon. So for information on tickets and upcoming dates, go to americanhistorylive.com. That's americanhistorylive.com. Come see my Days That Made America Tour live on stage. Go to americanhistorylive.com. [drum roll] [suspenseful music] Imagine it's July seventeen seventy-six and you're at home in Lower Manhattan peering out a window as rebel soldiers with the Continental Army march down your street. [door knocking] You jump at the sound of a heavy knock on the front door and push past a servant to open it yourself. A Continental Army officer stands on your doorstep, sweat beading on his forehead beneath his tricorne hat. You straighten your back and meet his gaze. "Yes. May I help you?" "Good afternoon, ma'am. I've come to inform you that your home is being sequestered for the quartering of Continental Army officers. You and your family will remove yourselves at once." A stab of fear runs through you, and your hand twitches on the door handle. "Well, my husband is out at the moment.