On March 11th, 2021, CAFE hosted eminent history professors Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman for a wide-ranging discussion about presidential history and what makes a “game-changing” administration.

The conversation, which took place on the same day that President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law, positioned the new administration within the highly successful early ventures of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Professors Richardson and Freeman also talked through the broader qualities of presidential “game changers,” debated which other presidents might qualify, and answered viewer questions.

For the video version of the event, head here.

For updates on what’s next for CAFE’s history content, sign up for the free weekly CAFE Brief: cafe.com/brief.

In addition to getting the first announcements about our content, you’ll receive notes from Elie Honig and the weekly Time Machine column, which looks back at past events that can help us to make sense of our complicated present.