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[Echoes of War @EchoesofWarYT]

The richest man in America signed a document that could have gotten him hanged, and when someone sneered that he was safe because no one would know which Charles Carroll to come for, he picked up the pen and told the British exactly where to find him.

His name was Charles Carroll, and the colonies were crawling with men who shared it. His own father was Charles Carroll of Annapolis. So when the Declaration of Independence came to him for signing in 1776, a delegate made a cruel little joke. He said Carroll risked nothing by signing. There were so many Charles Carrolls that the King's men would never know which one to hang.

Carroll didn't argue. He leaned over the page and added three words to his signature: "of Carrollton." The name of his estate. His address. He was the only signer in the entire room who wrote down where he lived, and he did it on purpose, so that if the British wanted to come hang the traitor, they would know exactly which door to knock on.

That is who Charles Carroll of Carrollton was.

Here is what makes the moment even sharper. He was not a man with little to lose. He was the single wealthiest man in the thirteen colonies and the largest private landowner among them. While George Washington and John Hancock get talked about as rich men, it was Carroll who topped them all. When he signed, he was wagering the biggest personal fortune in America against a noose.

And he was the last man anyone would have expected to be there at all. Carroll was Catholic. In colonial Maryland, a colony founded as a Catholic refuge that had since turned on its own, Catholics could not vote. They could not hold public office. They could not worship in public. The most educated, wealthiest man in America was, in the eyes of the law, a second-class subject barred from the very government he was helping to create. He had spent seventeen years being educated by Jesuits in France and spoke five languages fluently, and back home he still could not legally cast a ballot.

So he became the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence, putting his name on a revolution that he hoped would build a country with room for men like him. That was its own enormous bet, made by a man the existing system had already shut out.

Then he simply outlived everyone.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the same astonishing day, July 4, 1826, exactly fifty years after the Declaration. When they were gone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the last living signer left on earth. For six more years he was the final human link to that room in Philadelphia, the last hand that had signed, a living relic of the founding that ordinary Americans traveled to see and shake.

He finally died in November 1832 at the age of ninety-five, fifty-six years after he wrote his address on a treason document and dared the empire to come find him.

The richest man in America. The only Catholic. The last one standing. He had more to lose than any of them, every legal reason to stay quiet, and he signed his full address anyway.

We remember the names we were handed in school. We forget the man who made sure his couldn't be mistaken for anyone else's.

Which Founding Father do you think history shortchanged the most?

[Tammi Minoski 🟦 @TammiMinoski]

The film #RevolutionaryAmerica begins today. It is only in a select theater near you until June 2. #America250 🇺🇸

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

More from the @UnionPacific Big Boy stop in Tama, Iowa, this afternoon.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

Heading East to Philadelphia for the Fourth! @UnionPacific Big Boy No. 4014 is the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, No. 4014 is the only one still in operation.

This was a multi-year restoration effort. Bravo to the UP for making the commitment and then bringing her East for our nation’s 250th.

There are several stops along the way. Check their site for their schedule and a map that tracks the train’s progress.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

On this day in 1779, Benedict Arnold was court-martialed in Philadelphia. Charged with 13 counts, including misusing government wagons and illegal trading, the proceedings were delayed by a British attack and resumed later in New Jersey.

Though largely cleared, he received a reprimand from George Washington. This slight, combined with Arnold’s growing resentment over the lack of recognition for his service, helped push him toward his infamous betrayal of the American cause the following year.

What do you think about Arnold? Is he misunderstood, or is his legacy accurately represented?

[History Camp @History_Camp]

If you missed the discussion with @RobertEdsel about his book, 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙐𝙨, you can watch it again at https://t.co/GD1xoKdQQD

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

On this day in 1754, a 22-year-old George Washington drew “first blood” in the French and Indian War.

Leading Virginia militia in southwestern Pennsylvania, his forces ambushed a French scouting party from Fort Duquesne, killing 10 (including commander Jumonville) and capturing 21, only one colonial loss.

This skirmish is often considered the first shot of the war. This is also the moment when Washington’s military skills were recognized, and his trajectory began.

This summer, releasing right before July 4, is a new movie titled Young Washington, which will focus on his time during the French and Indian War.

Watch the trailer here: https://t.co/8oydNa89xS

[History Camp @History_Camp]

Tune in at https://t.co/8FUpbpNo5M. @RobertEdsel

[History Camp @History_Camp]

𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝗱𝘀𝗲𝗹 joins us to discuss his latest book, 𝘙𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘜𝘴: 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘚𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘋𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘞𝘢𝘳 𝘐𝘐 from @HarperHorizon this Thursday at 8 pm Eastern.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

The photo is courtesy of @history_dame, taken from the American Cemetery in Luxembourg.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

On this Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women of the Armed Forces who gave their lives for our country and extend our gratitude and respect to their families for this, the ultimate sacrifice.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

@history_dame We can always count on you to notice our newest releases! Thank you for your years of support and great ideas.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

Thank you for your continued support and interest!

[History Dame @history_dame]

Just saw the newest items that @TheHistoryList has released. I love the two new History Nerd shirts: Churchill and Ike, and they have several Rare Finds WWII books covering North Africa, the invasion of Sicily, the invasion of Europe, and war in the Pacific.

From the photos, it’s clear that the books are in impeccable condition. I’m eyeing some of the books, but I can’t decide which History Nerd shirt to order—Ike, Churchill, or both?

Links in the comments for anyone interested in checking these out!

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

May 15, 1942: Legislation establishing the Women’s Army Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.

Over 150,000 women served in vital non-combat positions during World War II, from mechanics and clerks to air traffic controllers,
making a significant contribution to the Allied effort.

https://t.co/IXYpRhnbgW

[History Camp @History_Camp]

Starting in an Hour: Historian Tyler Anbinder joins us for a History Camp Author Discussion on his new book, 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬.

[History Camp @History_Camp]

New research creates a more complete and more realistic picture of the “Famine Irish” in Amerca. 𝗧𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 joins me this Thursday at 8 PM Eastern for a History Camp Author Discussion of his pioneering research and his new book, 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺.

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

Thank you! So glad you like this original design. It’s been so popular, in fact, that we are printing more.

[History Dame @history_dame]

My newest tea towel that I got from @TheHistoryList!

Isn’t it grand?!

[The History List @TheHistoryList]

Announcing the most important shirt we have ever done. Recognizing the men who put their lives on the line by signing our Declaration of Independence. Made in America, of course.