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Cardinal News 250 is a special journalism and community storytelling project exploring the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and America’s founding through the history, people and culture of Southwest and Southside Virginia. Featuring original reporting, Virginia history stories, Revolutionary War coverage, Appalachian history, local heritage, historic landmarks, museums, genealogy, podcasts, community events and educational content, Cardinal News 250 highlights the important role rural Virginia communities played in shaping the nation. Focused on Southwest Virginia history, Southside Virginia history and the lasting legacy of the Revolutionary era, the project connects readers with untold stories, regional traditions and compelling journalism rooted in Virginia’s past and present.
Want to explore more? Check out our podcast as well as our collection of Cardinal News 250 stories below and join us in rediscovering Virginia’s rich history. This series is published as part of a national effort by local newsrooms to reflect on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. See coverage from other newsrooms here.
Cardinal News 250 Podcast
Dive deeper into history with our podcast, hosted by Dutchie Jessee, where historians, journalists and others bring these stories to life. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, and catch the latest episodes in our monthly newsletter.
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Cardinal news 250 story collection
Freedom isn’t free. Ann McCarty Ramsay helped raise the money for the revolution.
Legend says that Ramsay was so esteemed for her fundraising that she was named treasurer of Fairfax County and Alexandria. That can’t be confirmed, but she was a prolific fundraiser.
Dispatch from 1776: Four events have made us independent
The Declaration of Independence gets the attention, but there were four events, in quick succession in late June and early July 1776, that all constituted acts of independence: Virginia adopted a constitution that declared a formal break, Congress voted for independence, Congress then adopted a Declaration of Independence, and, finally, Virginia’s royal governor was driven…
Not all of Virginia’s independence story was made by men in white wigs. Here’s what we’ve learned about our history.
Our Cardinal 250 series has shared stories about lesser-known people who helped Virginia, and the nation, secure independence.
The first newspaper to report on the Declaration of Independence published in German
There was only one newspaper in Philadelphia that published on Friday, July 5, 1776. It was a German-language newspaper and got the scoop about what the Continenal Congress had done the day before.
John Adams despised one Virginian in particular, calling him ‘obscene,’ ‘profane’ and ‘impious.’ It wasn’t Jefferson.
Benjamin Harrison was known for being a steadying influence at the Continental Congress and was respected enough that he was chosen to preside over the debates on independence. He also had a wit and a taste for food and drink that offended some New Englanders.
Jefferson wanted to condemn slavery in the Declaration of Independence. Congress said no.
Jefferson also wanted to condemn Lord Dunmore’s Emancipation Proclamation that offered freedom to Virginia’s slaves in exchange for fighting with the British, but Congress watered that down to the point where you wouldn’t recognize it unless you knew the back story.
Jefferson gets the acclaim for independence, but it was another Virginian who first proposed a formal break from Britain
Richard Henry Lee has become something of a forgotten founder, reduced to a comic figure in the musical “1776” or ignored altogether. But he was the one who first formally proposed that the Continental Congress declare the Colonies independent.
Who inspired Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence? Shakespeare.
The rhythms of Shakespeare helped shape the Declaration of Independence, says a Jefferson interpreter. In an age when many were illiterate, the Declaration, like Shakespeare’s work, was written to be heard, not just read.
Col. Lynch had Loyalists tied to a tree and whipped until they cried ‘Liberty Forever!’ That’s where the term ‘Lynch law’ comes from.
The name of the Altavista judge and militia colonel has gone into history for something he didn’t do. He never executed anyone.
Dispatch from 1776: Prompted by a Virginian, Congress is about to vote on independence
If this independence enterprise fails, the word that surely applies is treason. Men in England have been hanged for less. If, though, it should succeed, Lee’s resolution will mark the start of a new era the likes of which we have not seen: A new nation upon the earth.
Podcast: The Cardinal 250 trivia challenge, part 2
Test your knowledge and explore the people, places and events that helped shape America — but are often left out of the history books.
Virginia’s congressional delegation solicits photos for a time capsule to be opened in 2276
The call for submissions is part of the nation’s celebration of 250 years of independence. The deadline for submissions is June 12.
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The project is made possible in part by funding from the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.
Learn more about this multi-year series of events
Established by the General Assembly in 2020, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Learn more about their other projects.
Contribute to Cardinal 250
Share a tip: Is there an untold story of the revolution we should cover?
Share memorabilia: Do you have artifacts from this period that you wish to share? Send photos to us at news@cardinalnews.org.
