Founding father Benjamin Franklin was a diplomat, inventor, and he is the face of the $100 bill. Before you read this CLICK HERE for your free blog companion.

Early Life

Benjamin was born January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts.  He was 1 of 17 kids. Yikes. His father Josiah immigrated from England. He was a candle maker and soap maker.  Franklin’s formal education ended at age 10 but he was an inquisitive boy and read everything he could get his hands on.  He briefly served as an apprentice in his fathers shop before joining his brother James’ print shop and newspaper as an apprentice. Well Benjamin was actually an indentured servant. He was in charge of setting the letters for printing and selling newspapers door to door.  However, Benjamin wanted to write.  James was abusive toward Benjamin and would not let him write in the paper.  James was most likely jealous and threatened by Benjamin's talent.  

Since James...

Before you read this CLICK HERE for your free blog companion. 

#1 Family

Martin Luther King Jr. was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born into a good middle class family. Both of his parents were college educated. His father and grandfather were both Baptist ministers. He had a good childhood with a loving extended family and church life. He would go on to marry Corretta Scott in 1953 and they would have 4 children together.

#2 Education

Martin Luther King Jr. was an excellent student growing up. King was able to take advantage of a special wartime program to boost enrollment and attended Moorehouse college at the age of 15. He studied medicine and the law before switching the ministry his senior year. After graduating in 1948, he would go on to divinity school at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and then to Boston University for his doctorate. 

#3 Montgomery Bus Protest

After Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery Alabama...

After George Washington’s Christmas surprise at the Battle of Trenton, the Americans were feeling pretty good about themselves. They wanted more. Washington decided it was time to cross the Delaware river again and take Trenton and New Jersey for good.

 CLICK HERE for your free blog companion.

Battle of Trenton Recap

 George Washington boldly crossed the Delaware river on a freezing cold Christmas night in 1776. The next morning Washington’s Continental army routed 1400 Hessian soldiers who were stationed in Trenton, New Jersey.  Washington knew that he could not hold Trenton at that time because the majority of his troops had been unsuccessful crossing the river on Christmas night. He gathered much needed supplies and retreated back across the river before British and Hessian reinforcements arrived. The victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776 gave the American’s momentum and set the stage for the events that would take place over the...

Alexander Hamilton

One of the interesting things about America is that our founding fathers came from diverse backgrounds. 8 of the 56 signers of The Declaration of Independence were born outside of the colonies.  With that being said, the founders born in the colonies also had very different lives. Those from South Carolina would have had different ideas and experiences than those from New York.  Alexander Hamilton for example was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis.

Before you keep reading, CLICK HERE to download your free podcast companion

Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11th. But what year? That is up to debate. He was born in Nevis, British West Indies.  In 1765 his father, James Hamilton, abandoned his family. His mother, Rachel, opened a shop to support them and Alexander went to work as a clerk for successful merchants from New York. In 1768 Alexander’s mother, Rachel, passed away. This is where the discrepancy in the year of his birth comes...

General George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. There is a famous painting depicting the scene.  But what led up to that moment and where was he going anyway?

Don't forget to go to www.thehistoryrevolution.com/trenton for your free podcast companion worksheet. 

1776 had been a long year of fighting for the continental army. Morale was certainly at a low point after a string of defeats against the most powerful army in the world. General Washington knew that he needed something big in order to boost morale and increase recruitment. He devised a daring plan to sneak attack Hessian soldiers at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. 

Ok, so who were the Hessians? I thought the Americans were fighting the British?

Hessians were German soldiers that had been hired by the British to supplement their own army.  A lot of times they are referred to as mercenaries but that's a little misleading because...

Happy Birthday Paul Revere

Don't forget to go to www.thehistoryrevolution.com/paulrevere to download your free Paul Revere companion worksheet.

Early Life

Paul Revere was born December 21st, 1734 or January 1st, 1735. Now, this date depends on if you are using a Julian Calendar, known as Old Style, or a Gregorian calendar, known as new style.  His father, Apollos Rivoire, a French Hugenot emigrated to America at the age of 13.  His mother, Deborah Hichborn, was the descendant of English Puritan settlers. Paul was the 3rd of 9 children and the oldest surviving male.  He apprenticed as a silversmith under his fathers tutelage until his father passed away when Paul was only 19. During the French and Indian War, for a short period, Paul was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Massachusetts artillery. After returning from the war he began his silversmithing career in earnest. 

Paul Revere Forensic Dentist

Paul Revere was also known as an...