In this episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, we begin our rewatch of HBO's 2008 miniseries John Adams — and it feels different this time.

Jake, Justin, and Molly dive into the first two episodes of John Adams, beginning with the Boston Massacre and John Adams' controversial defense of British soldiers. It's a legal drama rooted in principle and ambition - a reminder that the rule of law has always been contested in American history, even in 1770.

From there, the conversation moves into the Continental Congress, the long road to independence, and the fragile coalition that produced the Declaration.

Along the way, the trio unpacks the radicalization of John Adams, the diplomacy of Benjamin Franklin, the complicated legacy of George Washington, and the indispensable role of Abigail Adams - moral compass, political strategist, and intellectual equal.

This episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly explores:

• The Boston Massacre and why Adams defended the British soldiers
• "Facts are stubborn things" and the meaning of the rule of law
• The violence and instability of revolutionary Boston
• The Continental Congress and the messy politics of independence
• Jefferson, Franklin, and the drafting of the Declaration
• The slavery clause that didn't survive
• Smallpox, inoculation, and medicine in wartime
• Abigail Adams as the quiet force behind the Revolution