History
How drinking in bars fueled American independence
A Man Full of Trouble is Philadelphia’s last remaining example of colonial bar culture that birthed the American Revolution.
1 year ago
A massive digitization and artificial intelligence platform gives free access to multiple historic archives and thousands of documents.
1 year ago
Listen 1:26‘America’s greatest flop’: How the nation’s 150th celebration went so wrong
Philadelphia had killed it as host of the nation’s 100th birthday in 1876; the 1926 event went very differently.
1 year ago
America has a major birthday coming up — here’s what to expect for the big 2-5-0
It's the nation's semiquincentennial! July 4, 2026, is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Here's how the U.S. is planning to party.
1 year ago
Atlantic City’s Ralph Hunter envisions new Black history museum in town
The 87-year-old Atlantic City resident said he will be knocking on doors to raise $100,000 for the museum.
1 year ago
With July Fourth falling on a Friday this year, many local businesses are closing up shop. Neighborhood leaders say they will redirect efforts to the 2026 celebration.
1 year ago
Chester County’s Voices Underground is creating a national memorial to the Underground Railroad
Three sites will tell different facets of the history of the Underground Railroad in Chester County.
1 year ago
Listen 1:18African American Museum in Philadelphia celebrates Juneteenth with block party
The Museum brought Philadelphians together in celebration of the holiday’s 160th anniversary.
1 year ago
The museum’s special programming targeted visitors who may not have known about America’s second independence day and the people behind it.
1 year ago
How Juneteenth and Black America helped shape U.S. cuisine
NPR's Ben Abrams utilized his culinary background for a deep dive on the connection between food and Juneteenth.
1 year ago
Why is political violence on the rise?
Last year, threats against elected officials reached an all-time high. And polls find more Americans support the use of violence to achieve a political goal. We discuss why.
Air Date: June 17, 2025 12:00 pm
Listen 45:10A replica of the boat George Washington used in ‘Crossing of the Delaware’ is coming to Bucks County
As America celebrates its semiquincentennial in 2026, visitors can hearken back to the Revolutionary War inside the 40-foot Durham boat along the Delaware River.
1 year ago
Listen 1:13Philadelphia sculptor casts a 10-foot Muhammad Ali on the 60th anniversary of his famous victory
Zenos Frudakis renders Muhammad Ali’s 1965 win over Sonny Liston for the town where it happened.
1 year ago
Listen 1:21What is Memorial Day and how has it evolved from its Civil War origins?
The first national observance was shortly after the American Civil War and was then called Decoration Day. Veterans decorated war graves with blooming flowers.
1 year ago
A two-episode podcast by WHYY News explores the exclusive story of a helicopter pilot who warned the city that “the bunker’s no threat” before the police dropped the bomb.
1 year ago














