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George Washington

A depiction of the Continental Army's encampment at Valley Forge | Photo: George Washington at Valley Forge; Smith Archive/Alamy

History

How Britain's Protectionist Trade Policies Created Valley Forge

The site of George Washington's famed winter encampment might not have existed without colonial-era iron regulations.

Eric Boehm | 5.13.2025 6:00 AM

Actors Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford standing in front of the Captain American premiere poster | Dave Starbuck/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Movies

The New Captain America Film Has Important Lessons for Trump and Biden Stans

In Captain America: Brave New World, a power-hungry president makes reckless choices and withholds vital information—but even he looks competent compared to Biden and Trump.

Matthew Rozsa | 2.14.2025 1:08 PM

A whiskey distilling set up in front of the preamble to the United States Constitution | Illustration: Lex Villena;  Ioannis Syrigos

Commerce Clause

Rekindle the Spirit of Independence by Legalizing Home Distilling

A modern legal battle challenges the federal ban on distilling alcohol at home—a favorite hobby of the Founding Fathers.

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 7.4.2024 6:00 AM

Federal safety regulators say 43 percent of tested fireworks are illegal. God bless America. |  Lunamarina/Dreamstime.com

Freedom

Federal Safety Regulators Say 43 Percent of Tested Fireworks Are Illegal. God Bless America.

Fireworks consumption is at record levels even as fireworks injuries fall.

Christian Britschgi | 7.3.2023 10:00 AM

Presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington pictured in front of an American flag | Illustration: Lex Villena; 47769184 © Georgios Kollidas | Dreamstime.com, 19622568 © Georgios Kollidas | Dreamstime.com

Immigration

Free Immigration Is a Core American Value

Just consider the policies that the Founding Fathers embraced.

Fiona Harrigan | 2.20.2023 3:21 PM

The signing of the Declaration of Independence as depicted on the back of the 2-dollar bill | Siempreverde22 | Dreamstime.com

Presidential History

Presidents' Day Is a Good Reminder To Treat the Presidency With Skepticism

While the office was created with "modest authority and limited responsibilities," the modern president has increasingly unchecked power and authority.

Joe Lancaster | 2.20.2023 8:30 AM

DeclarationofIndependence | National Archives.

American Revolution

Immigration and the Principles of the Declaration of Independence

The principles of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution justify free migration rights.

Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 7.4.2021 11:10 AM

Mural | Screenshot via KTVU

Censorship

Activists Want a Problematic Mural of George Washington Destroyed. It Will Cost a High School $600,000.

The artist wanted students to learn about Washington's flaws. How traumatizing.

Robby Soave | 6.20.2019 12:15 PM

Large image on homepages

Prohibition

The Whiskey Making Was Hard, But the Government Was Easy

Our first president might be shocked at the regulatory machinery imposed on distillers.

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 11.9.2017 9:57 AM

Large image on homepages | Library of Congress

History

George Washington's 'Founding War of Conquest'

The standing army, Native American opposition, and the high cost of territorial expansion

Amy H. Sturgis | 9.24.2017 6:00 AM

Large image on homepages

Reason Podcast

What Washington's Farewell Address Tells Us About Trump's America (Reason Podcast)

The nation's father warned against "hyper-partisanship, excessive debt and foreign wars" in 1796. Why aren't we paying attention, asks John Avlon.

Nick Gillespie and Ian Keyser | 4.16.2017 10:00 AM

Large image on homepages | YouTube

Music

Songs of the Presidents

A playlist for Presidents' Day

Jesse Walker | 2.20.2017 9:40 AM

Large image on homepages

Reasontv

Was George Washington a Model Entrepreneur?

Author Edward Lengel on how Washington's business acumen shaped America.

Meredith Bragg | 2.13.2016 10:30 AM

Civil Liberties

Antidisestablishmentarianism in Action

Katherine Mangu-Ward | 12.23.2015 12:00 AM

War on Drugs

George Washington: Boozehound

Prodigious alcohol consumption by Washington and his fellow founding fathers has been whitewashed from American history.

Stanton Peele | 2.22.2014 2:00 PM

Politics

Celebrate George Washington's Birthday, Drink Some Whiskey

Meredith Bragg | 2.17.2014 9:13 AM

Politics

Guns and the Government

The country is ablaze with debate about guns, and the government is determined to do something.

Andrew Napolitano | 1.17.2013 7:00 AM

Politics

Hemp Legalization Amendment Attached to Farm Bill

Matthew Feeney | 6.8.2012 2:30 PM

Politics

George Washington Would Beat Out Romney as Richest President; John Kerry Would Have, Too

Emily Ekins | 1.25.2012 6:39 PM

Politics

George Washington Would Beat Out Romney as Richest President; John Kerry Would Have, Too

Emily Ekins | 1.25.2012 6:30 PM

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