Why did African Americans spend a century celebrating the Fifth of July instead of the Fourth? Why did a sitting US president personally try to end a journalist's career over one newspaper series? And two hundred and fifty years on, why can't America agree on what its founding document actually means?

A 250-year-old promise of equality collides with slavery, revolution and a modern-day tenure battle as Afua and Peter close out their Declaration of Independence series.

[1:28] Fifty-six men sign in Philadelphia — many of them slave owners writing "all men are created equal"

[8:07] Lafayette's regret: "I would never have drawn my sword..."

[11:42] Why a Virginia senator can't stomach Bolívar's revolution

[15:20] Why Black Americans spent a century celebrating the Fifth of July instead

[17:27] Frederick Douglass asks the question that still stings: "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?"

[18:53] The project that says America was really founded in 1619

[28:55] A sitting president personally tries to take the story down

[30:54] She wins a Pulitzer. Her university refuses her tenure anyway.

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Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas:

Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com

Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more.

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Stay connected with Legacy:

Instagram: @originallegacypodcast

TikTok: @legacy_productions

Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com

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