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New York in the American Revolution: The Battle of Brooklyn and the Great Fire of 1776 with Benjamin Rubin

New York in the American Revolution: The Battle of Brooklyn and the Great Fire of 1776 with Benjamin Rubin


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

In August of 1776, the largest military force ever assembled in the Western Hemisphere appeared off the coast of New York City. The invasion of the city by British forces was the first true test of the Continental Army, and led to the largest battle of the war, a daring night time escape, the beginning of the war's longest hostile occupation, and a fire that destroyed 1/3 of the city, all within the space of less than a month. 

In this lecture, we will discuss one of the American Revolution's most important, and often overlooked chapters, and the ways that a few weeks permanently reshaped New York City. We will also (virtually) scour the modern city, looking for clues and remnants of its revolutionary past Led by an expert on The American Revolution, Ben Rubin, this Conversation will reexamine the place of America's greatest city in the story of the nation's founding. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased appreciation for a surprisingly unsung chapter in the nation's origin story.

Ben Rubin is a public historian specializing in the American Revolution and Early America. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science from Hanover College, a Master's in American History from Western Carolina University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in History and Culture at Drew University, as well a graduate of the School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. Ben taught history and writing at Bloomfield College for five years before leaving academia to start his own music education business, JC Instrumental. He continues to work in public history with Context Travel, leading both in-person walking tours and virtual conversations on early American history, and at Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, where he has been a fellow since 2007. His work has been published in both academic and public history journals, and you can hear him most recently as a featured guest on the History Happy Hour podcast. He currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey with his wife Dana, daughter Sylvie, and dog Oslo, and spends his free time playing music, rock climbing, playing board games, and following Cincinnati Reds baseball.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

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