Historian and author Roger Smith leads a discussion on the most under-told story in our nation’s history. While the American Revolution is often framed through events in the northern colonies, Florida played a very different and largely overlooked role. Even more striking is how little this history is known here in Florida, where these events unfolded and continue to shape our understanding of the nation’s founding.

Roger Smith received his Ph.D. in Early American History from the University of Florida, where he is an adjunct professor, as well as an onboard historian/lecturer for American Cruise Lines. He was a board member with the Florida Council for History Education and consulted on the AMC TV show Turn.

Florida Reflections was developed by Florida Humanities and is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250—a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Funding is provided in part through the Thomas M. & Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Brevard. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or its partners.