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A Step-by-Step Guide to Emulating Benjamin Franklin’s American Ideal
Benjamin Franklin and his grandson Temple, on August 27, 1783, witnessed a historic event a week before the Treaty of Paris was signed, marking the end of the American Revolution. They were among 50,000 Parisians gathered on the Champ de Mars, the very spot where the iconic Eiffel Tower stands today, to witness the flight of the first hydrogen-filled balloon. The balloon, made of rubberized silk, gracefully soared through the skies for 45 minutes, covering a distance of 13 miles. Amidst the awe and wonder of the crowd, one curious onlooker questioned the purpose of such an invention, to which Franklin, with his wisdom and wit, likened the balloon to a newborn child, emphasizing the potential and possibilities that lie ahead.
On that warm summer day, Franklin could not have possibly foreseen the incredible journey that lay ahead for the newly formed United States, fresh out of a grueling seven-year war with Great Britain. Little did he know that his path would lead him to the bustling banks of the Seine, a world away from his early days as a staunch imperialist in the British colonies of North America. Despite his initial support for a united confederation of colonies to fend off England’s enemies, Franklin’s transformation into a fervent advocate for liberty was nothing short of remarkable. By 1776, he had shed his allegiance…
