Heroes of 1776: The Story of The Declaration of Independence

From Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and bestselling author Janie Nitze! Explore the courage and sacrifice of some of the heroes of the American Revolution and the stories behind the document that started it all—The Declaration of Independence. In the spring of 1776, Philadelphia buzzed with the sounds of revolution. Men and women stopped each other in the streets to trade rumors of the latest troop movements. Others whispered reports about spies among them. Noisy debates spilled from open tavern windows while distant drums called soldiers to their training. Dive into the stories of ordinary people willing to do extraordinary things, from iconic figures like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Paul Revere, to lesser-known revolutionaries such as Caesar Rodney, Thomas Paine, and Mary Katherine Goddard. These great men and women risked all they had—their property, freedom, and ultimately their lives—to secure a better life for their children and grandchildren. Packed with firsthand accounts and vivid depictions of the patriots’ struggle for freedom, Justice Gorsuch’s and Janie Nitze’s debut children’s book thoughtfully investigates the foundations of our country, centering the human experience at the heart of it all. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the Heroes of 1776, a celebration of the ideals upon which this country stands, told with humanity in only the way Justice Gorsuch and Janie Nitze can.

© 2026 HarperCollins (Audiobook): 9780063474000

Release date

Audiobook: 5 May 2026