The British Navy conducts a raid on Norfolk attempting to secure supplies and chase out the Continentals. The British burn the waterfront. The Continentals decide to complete the destruction of the city in order to prevent it from becoming a Tory stronghold.

For more context, check out Episode 77 of the American Revolution Podcast.

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On December 31, 1775, General Richard Montgomery and Colonel Benedict Arnold lead a desperate attack against Quebec City before their army's enlistments expire on January 1.

For more context, check out Episode 78 and Episode 79 of the American Revolution Podcast.

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Special guest Jack Kelly joined our December, 2025 round table to discuss his new book: Tom Paine's War, to be released on Jan. 6, 2026. The book looks at Paine's military service after writing Common Sense, and how it impacted his decision to write The American Crises. We look at how this critical period of Paine's life impacted the course of the American Revolution.

Order the book on Amazon . Also available as an Audio Book.

For a written summary of the discussion, go to ⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com⁠

To see a list of upcoming Round Table events, where you can participate on Zoom, go to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amrevrt.org/virtual-round-table-events⁠⁠⁠⁠

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December 18, 1778: Secret Agent from France, Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir completes his meetings with the Continental Congress Secret Committee and writes a report for officials in France. His efforts contribute to France's decision to begin providing covert aid to the American Cause.

For more context, check out Episode 71 of the American Revolution Podcast.

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Washington delivers two annual addresses to Congress in late 1790 and again in late 1791, setting out his key priorities for the coming year.

Around the time of the 1791 address. Thomas Jefferson helps to found a new newspaper that will challenge the administration, and counterbalance a pro-administration newspaper backed by Alexander Hamilton.

Washington also reluctantly tries out cabinet meetings after getting over a fear that they will be seen as too monarchical.

This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠blog.AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode.

Book Recommendation of the Week: ⁠Infamous Scribblers: The Founding Fathers and the Rowdy Beginnings of American Journalism, by Eric Burns.

Online Recommendation of the Week: Discourses on Davila, by John Adams: https://archive.org/details/discoursesondavi00adam

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On December 22, 1775, the British Parliament orders all trade with the colonies to cease. Violators will have their ships seized and the crew impressed into the British Navy.

For more context on these events, check out Episode 71 and Episode 77 of the American Revolution Podcast: https://blog.amrevpodcast.com

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Following up on his New England Tour in 1789, Washington Visits Rhode Island and Long Island in 1790. Then, in 1791, he embarks on his longest tour, riding from Philadelphia to Georgia and back again.

This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠blog.AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode.

Book Recommendation of the Week: George Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour, by Warren Bingham.

Online Recommendation of the Week: The Tale of Washington’s Horse https://www.ccpl.org/charleston-time-machine/tail-washingtons-horse

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Many listeners have asked me to recommend books for those casually interested in the American Revolution, or for a single book that covers the entire Revolution. I provide several great recommendations in this episode.

Coffee Table Books:

The American Revolution: An Intimate History, by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns. https://amzn.to/3MqhW81

The American Revolution: A Visual History (from the Smithsonian Institute). https://amzn.to/3Yl0Ivi

America Victorious, by Tom Hand. https://amzn.to/4943ECD - Although I've included an Amazon link I strongly recommend going to the author's website AmericanaCorner.com and buying a signed copy. You can also get an additional 15% discount by using the promo code: REVOLUTION

Substantive books:

The American Revolution: A History, by Gordon Wood (about 200 pages)

The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789, by Robert Middlekauff. https://amzn.to/3MPXRb8

The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777, by Rick Atkinson https://amzn.to/48ZI6al

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President Washington hires close friends to make the land deals necessary to establishing the new federal city on the Potomac River. He also personally selects French immigrant Pierre L'Enfant as the city planner.

This episode's, blog entry, at ⁠⁠⁠blog.AmRevPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ includes a complete transcript, as well as more resources related to this week's episode.

Book Recommendation of the Week:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Washington: The Making of the American Capital, by Fergus Bordewich.

Online Recommendation of the Week: A History of the National Capital, Vol. 1: 1790-1814, by W.B. Bryan: https://archive.org/details/historyofnationa0001wilh

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Virginia patriots fight the British at Great Bridge, forcing the British to surrender the last patch of land under British control in Virginia.

For more details on this topic, check out ⁠⁠⁠Episode 74⁠⁠⁠ of the American Revolution Podcast. ⁠⁠⁠https://blog.amrevpodcast.com

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