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Thursday, January 30, 2020, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Experts discussed how our nation’s founders grappled with many of the same political issues that our country faces today and how we can learn by reflecting on our past. The panel reflected on the difficulties of political polarization and approaches to health care during the time of our nation’s founding and how we can use these lessons of history to address today’s political challenges.

Moderated by Fred Thys, reporter for WBUR, the conversation included:

• Liz Covart, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture; Host of Ben Franklin’s World: A Podcast About Early American History

• Stephen Fried, Author, Rush: Revolution, Madness & the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania

• Sara Georgini, Series Editor, Papers of John Adams, Massachusetts Historical Society

• Nathaniel Sheidley, Ph.D., President and CEO, Revolutionary Spaces

Institute chief operating officer Gina Perille opened the program with welcome remarks and C-SPAN included the program as part of its American History TV series.

The Kennedy Institute is proud to have partnered with the Massachusetts Historical Society on this event.