Political pressure and personal bias have hounded American journalists since the first newspapers were printed. Interpreter Dennis Watson talks about the Virginia Gazette.

Paul Aron, author of We Hold These Truths, discusses examples of famous American rhetoric, particularly dating from the American Revolution.

Tom Hay, site supervisor in the Courthouse-Capitol-Gaol ensemble at Colonial Williamsburg, describes several notable escapes from the Gaol during the colonial era and the Revolutionary War.

Historian Cathy Hellier explains the differences between modern American English and the English of the colonists during the 1700s; she looks also at new ideas on the dialect of African Americans in the Williamsburg area at the time. Click here to learn more about 18th century speech.

Naturalist Mark Catesby (1683-1749) studied and made watercolors of the wildlife and plants of colonial America. Interpreter Robb Warren talks about the man and his art.

Colonial Williamsburg public sites interpreter Alex Clark details the effect of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" on the American colonies.

Britain's tax on paper goods was unremarkable in itself, but the colonies' furious response surprised two continents. Historian Linda Rowe talks about the Stamp Act.

Architectural historian Carl Lounsbury describes the Bodleian Plate, a copper plate preserving an illustration of Williamsburg in 1747. The Plate has been used as reference in the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg.

To listen to this podcast, select "All 2008 podcasts," and scroll to the August fourth program.

Lady Dunmore, wife of Lord Dunmore (royal governor of Virginia from 1771 to 1776), was beloved by the colonists. Interpreter Corrine Dame reflects on Lady Dunmore's life.