As you know, I’m a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Valley Forge Chapter.) Every year, the DAR commemorates America’s most important document, the United States Constitution, with a Constitution Week. This celebration began in 1955 when Daughters petitioned the U.S. Congress to set aside September 17th-23rd each year to observe Constitution Week. In 1956, President Eisenhower signed into public law the resolution adopted by the Congress.

The Constitution didn’t “just happen,” though. There was a lot of controversy over various aspects of the document that would govern our infant nation. At one point, the state of the union wasn’t good. At all. Then Benjamin Franklin made a startling observation. I tell the story on my podcast, which can be found at:

Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

If you were at least five years old on that deceptively beautiful day seventeen years ago, you remember where you were. I don’t think any of us will ever forget the images of planes crashing deliberately into buildings or people jumping from them, or the Twin Towers plunging to their ruin, scenes that are seared into our imaginations. Just the other day I saw a trailer related to a video from the early 1980s, an action movie in which a plane flew into a building and, shuddering, I had to look away.

Although much “ink has been spilled” describing the events of September 11, 2001, words still fail many of us as we process the day on an emotional level. Something primal happened, and we took it very personally. Even if we didn’t know anyone involved or affected by the tragedy, all Americans were attacked on 9.11. I remember one of my friends saying she was getting condolences from people she knew in other countries.

If you’d like to hear a story about that momentous day, I invite you to listen to my podcast:

Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

What was literally the opening shot of the 20th century took place on September 5, 1901 when President William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, New York. To hear the full story, please go to my podcast, “Great Stories in American History with Rebecca Price Janney”:

Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

Do you have a favorite story, one you enjoy sharing with your family and friends?

Everyone loves a good story, something we never truly outgrow. We need stories to inspire, challenge, and delight us, to help us define who we are and our place in this world. I love being a story teller who who aspires to encourage others. This is a major reason for my new podcast, “Great Stories in American History with Rebecca Price Janney.” I believe there's so much to learn from these amazing, faith-based accounts of how those who came before us overcame many hardships to forge our wonderful nation.

A few days ago I inaugurated this new way to tell the stories I’ve cherished for over twenty years of teaching and publishing. The very first podcast is about the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn, which took place in August 1776. (Two of my ancestors served as officers in that conflict, so I literally had “skin in the game.”)

To listen to that incredible story of how the newly-birthed United States was able to survive a crushing defeat, you can follow any of these links. And I hope you’ll join me weekly for a new Great Story from American history.

Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/XvEU

RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/rebecca-price-janney-WRVP43

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/rebecca-price-janney

Spotfiy: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aRwTcUAMZ4fxWauzIE8Cn

( and Google Podcasts)

Please join me this Thursday as I discuss ways to market your book, with Patricia Durgin. I look forward to seeing many fellow and aspiring writers, as well as friends and family who are curious about the writing life.