A New Podcast Series
Before It Became History, a podcast series from the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, explores the people and moments that shaped the American story. Each episode looks beyond the legend to examine the decisions, conflicts, and ideas that tested the promise of liberty and helped define our democracy.
Before they were names in history books, they were organizers, poets, spies, diplomats, soldiers, and citizens making impossible choices in uncertain times.
Before they were events we study and reference today, they were the stories shared between neighbors, written about in newspapers, or broadcast over the radio and eventually television.
This is history before it hardened into memory — and a conversation about what it means for us now.
Explore the Stories!
Esther De Berdt: Rallying Women for the Revolution
Esther De Berdt Reed inspired women across the colonies to support the Patriot cause through organized fundraising and civic action. Discover how her leadership proved that service on the home front could change history.
Benjamin Harrison V: A Founder with a Lasting Legacy
Benjamin Harrison V signed the Declaration of Independence and helped guide Virginia during the nation’s founding. Discover the story of the statesman whose family’s public service would influence America for generations.
Button Gwinnett: The Founder Who Bet Everything on Independence
An English-born merchant turned revolutionary, Button Gwinnett risked his fortune and ultimately his life for American independence. Discover the remarkable story behind one of the Declaration’s rarest and most famous signatures.
William Williams: Connecticut’s Steadfast Servant
William Williams signed the Declaration of Independence and dedicated his life to serving his colony and the new nation with integrity and conviction. Discover the story of a Founder whose steady leadership helped shape America’s future.
Catharine Macaulay: A Voice for Civic Liberty
Across the Atlantic, historian Catharine Macaulay championed liberty, constitutional government, and the principles that inspired the American Revolution. Discover how her writings influenced the Founding Era and the enduring pursuit of self-government.
Benjamin Rush: Founder, Physician, Educator
Benjamin Rush was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a pioneering physician, and a passionate advocate for education and civic virtue. Discover how his vision for an informed citizenry helped shape the foundations of the United States.
John Hull and the First American Mint: A Bold Step Toward Colonial Self-Reliance
Long before the United States had a national currency, John Hull helped establish the first mint in colonial America. Discover how one silversmith’s work shaped commerce, trust, and economic life in the colonies.
Robert Morris: The Financier Who Funded American Freedom
Armies may win battles, but wars require resources. Robert Morris used his financial expertise and personal credit to help fund the American Revolution. Discover the story of the man who helped keep the fight for independence alive.
From Coins to Greenbacks: The Story of U.S. Paper Money
How did America go from colonial coins and foreign currency to the paper money we use today? Discover the fascinating history of American money and how a growing nation built a financial system to support its economy and future.
Catherine Moore Barry: Unsung Hero of the American Revolution in South Carolina
During the American Revolution, Catherine Moore Barry used her knowledge of the South Carolina countryside to aid Patriot forces and support the cause of independence. Discover the story of a courageous woman whose actions helped shape the course of the war.