For 250 years, a debate has carried on over the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. To enlighten us on his new book: "Divided Over the Declaration: How an Enduring Debate Sustains the Vision of America," we welcome author Tony Williams!

Through no fault of any of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, some signers are better known than others. Some are familiar household names while others are a bit more obscure. One of the lesser-known signers is the subject of our chat this week. Abraham Clark was a lawyer from New Jersey who signed the Declaration but also served two terms in the United States House of Representatives. To shed more light on the life and career of Abraham Clark, and the personal sacrifices he made in defense of freedom, we are delighted to welcome Gary Porter as our special guest. Gary is a long-time friend of Constituting America and Executive Director of the Constitution Leadership Initiative.

When one looks at the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, among the soaring prose and clear indictment against the British crown, one name stands out from the others: John Hancock. Clearly, we know he was a Founding Father and most know he was the first to sign the great document. But beyond that, he is one of the least studied of the Founders. Today, we change that. To help in this challenge to shed light on him we are delighted to welcome as our special guest Robert Allison, Professor of History at Suffolk University, president of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts and chair of Revolution 250.

Perhaps there is no greater archetype of the American Dream than Benjamin Franklin in the founding generation. A printer's apprentice, he rose to become a writer, statesman and scientist. Along the way, he helped draft and sign the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution and became our country's first postmaster general and served as an ambassador to France. As we celebrate our country's 250th birthday this year, we are delighted to have a chance to chat with Dr. Franklin, wonderfully portrayed by David Holland of the American Historical Theatre.

Our country is built on a great library of extraordinary documents that framed our new republic in its infancy. Constituting America always delights in discussing these works. In that spirit, today we are discussing Thomas Paine's seminal work, "Common Sense." How did the English-born Paine become such an ardent supporter of American independence and what role did his work have in pushing us from mere resistance to revolution? To discuss this extraordinary document, we are pleased to welcome to the chat Robert McDonald, professor of history at the U.S Military Academy in West Point, NY.

Compared to modern record keeping, not all of the details surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence are known. Case in point, although we know the date, we do not know the specific time of day when it passed and was signed. Other questions remain such as who offered what changes and were they incorporated in Jefferson's final draft? But what we do know is the long-lasting impact this incredible document had that changed the world. As we kick off the new year, a year in which we celebrate the 250th birthday of our country, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Michael Auslin as our guest this week. Dr. Auslin is the Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and author of "National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America."

Washington. Adams. Jefferson. Madison. Hamilton. There are certain Founding Fathers with whom are all very familiar. But there are also those who are less well-known but not less important. John Witherspoon is one such historical figure. Our guest today is Jeffry Morrison, Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University and Director of Academics at the federal government's James Madison Foundation. Dr. Morrison will teach us about this important founder and explain why John Witherspoon is "the most interesting Founding Father you have never heard of."

A rising concern over the last few years has been the purchase of American land by companies and organizations linked to the Chinese government. Similarly, the trade-focused relationship between the United States and China has been brought into focus as an examination of the cost-benefit analysis. Is this a legitimate rising concern? What can be done to secure our land and alleviate those concerns? What is the historic relationship between our two countries? To walk us through this very pertinent topic, we are delighted to welcome Steve Yates, former deputy national security advisor to the Vice President and Senior Research Fellow for China and National Security in the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center.

A rising concern over the last few years has been the purchase of American land by companies and organizations linked to the Chinese government. Similarly, the trade-focused relationship between the United States and China has been brought into focus as an examination of the cost-benefit analysis. Is this a legitimate rising concern? What can be done to secure our land and alleviate those concerns? What is the historic relationship between our two countries? To walk us through this very pertinent topic, we are delighted to welcome Steve Yates, former deputy national security advisor to the Vice President and Senior Research Fellow for China and National Security in the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center.

At over 200 years old, the Monroe Doctrine is one of the longest lasting attempts to craft foreign policy for our country. Declared in 1823 by President James Monroe, it laid the framework for the relationship between the United States and the Western Hemisphere. But why was it so important? What details did it address? How is it relevant today and is it actually enforced? To discuss this seminal foreign policy doctrine, we are welcoming two guests: Kirk Higgins is the Vice President of Content at the Bill of Rights Institute and Jim Pinkerton is a Senior Fellow at Center for American Prosperity at the America First Policy Institute, author and commentator.