Sarah Churchwell and David Olusoga

Two of Britain’s leading historians – Sarah Churchwell and David Olusoga – open a year of reflections on the United States of America, as it prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence.

The consequences of America’s experiment in democracy are still unfolding, and the contradictions, battles and ideals that continue to define it are still under debate.

Churchwell and Olusoga look at what the formation of America meant for the world, whether its vision of liberty has come true, and whether American democracy can survive the challenges it now faces.

Churchwell is chair of public humanities at the University of London and author of Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream.

David Olusoga is professor of public history at the University of Manchester and author of Black History for Every Day of the Year, and co-host of the podcast Journey Through Time.