After 250 years, do US citizens still believe in the American Dream?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 3 July 2026
⏱️ 24 minutes
🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS
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Summary
How have 250 years of history shaped modern America? As historic July 4th celebrations take place across the country this weekend we ask how does modern America compare to the vision of the Founding Fathers in the 18th Century? What does it means to be an American citizen today and has that changed over time? Where does this all leave the American dream?
In this episode, Justin and Anthony talk to the historian Heather Cox Graham who writes a daily Substack on American politics and society and has started a video project - 250 to 250 - to mark the historic landmark. Today, we are bombarded by information at a frenetic pace but can a careful consideration of the past 250 years tell us more about the United States in 2026?
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent
GUEST: • Heather Cox Richardson, historian, author, Substack columnist, founder of 250 to 250 project marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
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This episode was made by Purvee Pattni, George Dabby, Tom Gillett and Alix Pickles. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | On Newscast, we are not in the business of telling you how to think. |
| 0:11.5 | We get the brightest minds from across the BBC to chat through the biggest stories. |
| 0:16.1 | You should leave feeling smarter about all the bonkers things in the news. |
| 0:19.7 | Listen to Newscast every day on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:23.0 | Hello, it's Anthony, and you're about to hear AmeriCast, and we're delighted to have you with us. |
| 0:28.1 | And if you enjoy what you hear, please do consider subscribing to the podcast. |
| 0:32.1 | That way, you'll never miss an episode. |
| 0:34.4 | Now, on with today. |
| 0:36.5 | It is 250 years since that pivotal year, that year that |
| 0:40.7 | 13 American colonies declared independence from Great Britain, 1776. The year that everything |
| 0:49.1 | changed. Everything changed for them, for the actual people doing the signing. Everything changed, of course, on that continent, but also everything changed you could argue |
| 0:58.3 | for the whole world. |
| 0:59.9 | So here is the question. |
| 1:01.7 | Has it been a success? |
| 1:03.4 | Has the American experiment succeeded or failed? |
| 1:07.8 | Or is the jury out? |
| 1:09.4 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 1:13.3 | AmeriCast. AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 1:16.5 | You hear that sound? |
| 1:17.6 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 1:21.3 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
... |
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