America Has Always Been a Dangerous Idea

Breaking History

The Free Press

History

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As our nation turns 249 this week, we explore the radical and enduring power of the Declaration of Independence. More than just a break from the British Empire, the Declaration was a bold statement of universal human rights, an idea so dangerous it has sparked revolutions and inspired liberation movements around the world ever since, from Vietnam to Israel, from China to the Black Panther Party. We trace its intellectual origins, unpack its contradictions, and examine how a document written in 1776 continues to challenge America (and the world) today. Producers Poppy Damon, Bobby Moriarty and Charlie Bell. Go to groundnews.com/BreakingHistory to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on today’s biggest news stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, everyone. We have a really exciting announcement I want to share with you ahead of July 4th.
0:05.8	Through July 8th, we have a very special offer at the free press for our listeners and readers.
0:11.2	You can get $17.76 off an annual FP subscription by going to the FP.com slash subscribe. Don't worry. We'll also add the link to the
0:24.3	description of the show. Leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States, one year from
0:30.7	this July 4th, we are bringing subscribers a year of events, live streams, debates, subscriber
0:36.7	meetups, and so much more.
0:39.5	Here is what you can look forward to, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in New York City
0:45.0	on September 4th, and tech pioneer Palmer Lucky in Washington, D.C. on October 8th.
0:51.5	And to top it off, we're going to meet up in New York City on August 5th with our
0:56.1	subscribers under 30. Go to thefp.com slash America to learn more. And free press subscribers will get
1:05.7	the first go at event tickets, exclusive access to our live streams, and the opportunity to connect with other
1:13.3	free pressers. You will not want to miss it. To get in on the celebration, become a subscriber today.
1:19.9	With this limited time deal, go to thefp.com slash subscribe.
1:24.8	Hi, people fall and back loud, they will. com slash subscribe. What happens again when you love is a mystery.
1:44.9	Because I don't get it.
1:47.0	Turn into breaking mystery.
1:50.0	History.
1:51.8	Hey listeners. This week we're dropping the paywall at the free press.
1:56.9	That means everything that is normally reserved for paying subscribers will be offered
2:02.4	for free this week and only this week to anyone with a registered account.
2:08.4	All of our columns, videos, commentary, and investigations will be paywall free.
2:14.8	The team here is also curating a collection of some of our favorite archival essays,
	...

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