It's the Brian Larry Show on WNYC. Good morning again, everyone. So as we anticipate the 250th birthday of the United States next year, have you ever wondered why we place so much emphasis on the

year 1776? After all, the Revolutionary War began the prior year, 1775, and the United States

actually gained independence from Britain officially in 1783 when the war ended. One might even argue

that the implementation of the Constitution on March 4th,

1789, is a more accurate birthday for the United States government. So why is 1776 the year we

observe as the founding of this country? Well, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Pepperdine

University professor Edward J. Larson has a new book on this very question in declaring independence

why 1776 matters. Larson guides readers through the pivotal events that transform British

subjects into Americans, created a framework for today's Republican, that's

small are Republican states, turned the tide of the war effort, birthed American values,

and fueled later quests for racial and gender equality. He joins us now to make the case

that 1776 still matters. Professor Larson, great to have you.

Welcome back to WNYC.

Thank you for having me back, Brian.

And your retelling of 1776 begins right on New Year's Day with a cataclysmic event in Virginia,

the burning of Norfolk. What led to this incident and why did it

become a pretext for independence, as you call it? Thank you. Your introduction captured

exactly my thesis, as it were, why 1776 matters. Because we always talk about the spirit of 1776. We really don't talk about the

spirit of 17, other dates you gave, like 83 or 1775, even though they're important too.

And I'd like that you focus on the bombardment of Norfolk and the burning, the destruction of Norfolk.

Norfolk then was the second largest town in the American South, the key to the

key to the entire Chesapeake. And three things happened in January. And I guess to set it up,

...