Thomas Jefferson’s Powerful Words on Democracy and the Right to Bear Arms
In this episode of Inspired by History, Nathan Raab explores a rare 1783 letter written by Thomas Jefferson, just months after the Revolutionary War ended. Nathan provides insights into Jefferson's emotions and the history surrounding the Treaty of Paris, the spread of democracy, and the right of democratic citizens everywhere to bear arms against tyranny. The discussion covers the letter's journey through time, its disappearance and eventual rediscovery, and its significance in the context of Jefferson’s life and the broader democratic movements of the period. Overall, the episode emphasizes the enduring impact of historical documents on our understanding of history.00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:31 Thomas Jefferson's 1783 Letter01:46 The End of the Revolutionary War, The Treaty of Paris and Its Challenges02:45 Jefferson's Life and Career in 178303:28 The Journey of Jefferson's Letter05:06 Jefferson's Views on Democracy and Bearing Arms07:33 The Broader Impact of the American Revolution08:37 Reflecting on Jefferson's Achievements10:04 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFurther Resources: To learn more about this piece of American history: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/jefferson-ratify-treaty-of-paris To see other documents signed by Thomas Jefferson: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/thomas-jefferson-autograph
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10:36
The President’s Speech: Rare Copy of an Inaugural Address Rediscovered
On this episode of 'Inspired by History,' Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about the original, signed reading copy of President Benjamin Harrison’s inaugural address. Raab discovered and acquired the historical manuscript over a decade ago. Now Raab is loaning it to Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis, where it will be on exhibit alongside other presidential documents and memorabilia, now through August. This episode also highlights Harrison's contributions as the 23rd President of the United States and discusses the value and rarity of historical presidential documents. The discussion underscores how such artifacts bring history to life and their importance in understanding presidential legacies.00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:34 Exploring the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site01:11 The Discovery of Harrison's Inaugural Address01:38 Acquisition and Journey of the Historical Documents02:34 Putting the Address on Exhibit at the Presidential Site03:13 Significance of Historical Presidential Documents06:11 Benjamin Harrison's Legacy and Accomplishments08:15 The Role of Inaugural Addresses in American History09:00 Conclusion and Podcast InformationFurther Resources: To learn more about this piece of American history: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/harrison-original-inaugural-manuscriptTo see other historical documents related to Benjamin Harrison: https://www.raabcollection.com/presidents-autographs/benjamin-harrison-autographTo visit the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site: https://bhpsite.org/ To check out Nathan Raab’s book, “The Hunt for History”: https://www.raabcollection.com/the-hunt-for-history
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9:30
The Secrets of An Early American Business Empire: The Crowninshield Discovery
In this episode of Inspired by History, Rebecca Barry interviews Nathan Raab, president of The Raab Collection, about his recent discovery and acquisition of a large archive of documents acquired from the heirs of the Crowninshield family, a prominent early American business family. They discuss the discovery process and the historical significance of the documents, which includes a privateers commission signed by James Madison and James Monroe during the War of 1812 and a privateer’s capture booklet. We meet several members of the Crowninshield family who navigated international shipping and political arenas, with one brother in Congress, and another becoming Secretary of the Navy. This archive provides a unique glimpse into early 19th-century business and politics, and its preservation offers new insights and color to the historical narrative. Click here for more information on Benjamin Crowninshield and the Crowninshield Family Archive. 00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:31 Discovering a Historical Archive02:02 The Crowninshield Family Legacy03:28 Privateering During the War of 181206:01 Researching and Analyzing Historical Documents06:47 Political Connections: Benjamin Harrison as Secretary of the Navy 08:01 Preserving and Discovering New Historical Narratives10:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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A Brush With Greatness: Requesting Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Autograph
In this episode of 'Inspired by History,' Rebecca Barry and Nathan Raab delve into a remarkable piece of modern history—a program signed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the evening of his last great address at Carnegie Hall honoring W.E.B. Du Bois. The episode explores the significance, rarity, and value of this autograph, which was serendipitously obtained by a young man at a New York Hilton event in February of 1968 and passed down through his family. The discussion highlights the emotional and historical weight carried by such documents, connecting them to broader themes of inspiration and legacy in the context of civil rights and historical idealism. For more information, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/american-history-autographs/mlk-signed-address00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:29 A Serendipitous Encounter with Martin Luther King, Jr.01:11 Requesting MLK’s Signature on the Night of His Carnegie Hall Address02:17 The Significance of Historical Documents05:19 The Value of MLK's Autographs08:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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A John Hancock Family Heirloom: The Founding Father’s Yale Diploma
In this episode of Inspired by History, we explore the fascinating story behind John Hancock's rare diploma from Yale University, which he requested “ad eundem gradum” after he earned his degree from Harvard College. Given to Hancock in 1769, this unique document highlights his significant educational achievements and prestigious status. The discussion delves into the historical context, the rarity and value of such documents, and Hancock's motivations and actions just before the American Revolution. Discover how this artifact survived over 250 years, offering a glimpse into the life of a pivotal figure in American history.00:00 Introduction to Inspired by History00:27 Unveiling John Hancock's Yale Diploma01:10 The Significance of Hancock's Dual Degrees02:10 Historical Context and Personal Ambitions04:03 Preservation and Legacy of the Diploma05:08 Hancock's Early Life and Revolutionary Ties07:49 Conclusion and Podcast InformationTo see more rare John Hancock documents at Raab, visit: https://www.raabcollection.com/american-history-autographs/john-hancock-autograph
From The Raab Collection, stories of inspiration and discovery, using rare historical documents to bring history alive. We talk about how history continues to teach and guide us today, and discuss the rarity, authenticity, and value of these documents.
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