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PENNSYLMANIA

PENNSYLMANIA

Entertaining and informative stories of people and events in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, presented by Mark Smith.

Recent Episodes

Occupied Philadelphia (Ep10)
April 13, 2026

Occupied Philadelphia (Ep10)

EPISODE 10: OCCUPIED PHILADELPHIA. What was life like in the nation’s capital under British control? From September of 1777 to June of 1778, the British Army occupied the City of Philadelphia. During this time, the Congress...

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The Valley Forge Winter (Ep9)
March 30, 2026

The Valley Forge Winter (Ep9)

EPISODE 9: THE VALLEY FORGE WINTER. July 1777 to June of 1778 was the pivotal year of the American Revolution. With the exception of the Battles of Saratoga, the most crucial events either happened in Pennsylvania (like the...

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The York Congress (Ep8)
March 16, 2026

The York Congress (Ep8)

EPISODE 8: THE YORK CONGRESS. The Second Continental Congress – the one that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 at the Philadelphia State House and served as representative government during the American Revol...

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William Penn Part 2 (Ep7)
March 2, 2026

William Penn Part 2 (Ep7)

EPISODE 7: WILLIAM PENN, PART 2. This episode, the second of a two-part series on the life and legacy of William Penn, focuses on his founding of the English colony of Pennsylvania. Penn came to the project with some direc...

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William Penn Part 1 (Ep6)
Feb. 16, 2026

William Penn Part 1 (Ep6)

EPISODE 6: WILLIAM PENN, PART 1. The first of a two-part series on the life and legacy of William Penn, the founder of the English colony of Pennsylvania, this episode focuses on his family history and upbringing, his embra...

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The Erie Triangle (Ep5)
Feb. 2, 2026

The Erie Triangle (Ep5)

EPISODE 5: THE ERIE TRIANGLE. Why does Pennsylvania (and not New York) have that little wedge of land atop its Northwest corner? And why has it had such a consequential place in our state’s history, perhaps most notably in...

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Reviews

Opportunity and Ambition Give Rise to a New Industry

"Thank you for the engaging story and explanations of the beginning of America's love affair with oil. From canny men taking a chance at success to unscrupulous crooks working the system, your story …"

Lois | Jan. 6, 2026