“Seth Grossman’s 1676 Project is a must-read. It offers valuable insights and highlights crucial, often-overlooked facts essential to truly understanding United States history.” Alex Newman.

In 1676, William Penn and other persecuted Quakers in England bought land and established their own “commonwealth” in southern New Jersey. Six years later, they established Philadelphia across the Delaware River. They were guided by the Christian Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” They consulted with Enlightenment philosophers John Locke and Algernon Sidney. They studied and avoided mistakes previously made in Virginia, Plymouth, and Massachusetts Bay.

They paid Native Americans for the land they needed. They quickly freed African slaves. They set up schools to educate both boys and girls. They established frugal governments that required almost no taxes. Yet they kept people safe and protected their property. They quickly and peacefully settled disputes. They allowed people to keep most of what they earned. They offered “boundless opportunities” for almost everyone to succeed.

By 1776, Philadelphia was the largest and most prosperous city in British North America. The vibrant New Jersey towns, farms, and businesses across the Delaware River were an important part of it.

1676 Project is more than a complete and honest history of New Jersey. It explains what brought “exceptional” greatness to all of the United States. It is fully illustrated, clearly written, and easy to listen to. Yet it contains many passages from original sources to promote deeper understanding. Its comprehensive endnotes encourage fact-checking and further research.