April 17, 2025
On this day in history, April 17, we commemorate the anniversary of the death of one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers—Benjamin Franklin, who passed away on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84. Franklin’s life was a tapestry of innovation, diplomacy, and civic leadership, leaving a legacy that still resonates across science, politics, and education.
Born in Boston in 1706, Benjamin Franklin was a self-taught writer, printer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. Despite having only two years of formal education, Franklin’s insatiable curiosity and commitment to self-improvement drove him to become one of the most accomplished figures of the 18th century.
He is perhaps best known for his experiments with electricity, most famously the 1752 kite experiment, which demonstrated the electrical nature of lightning. This work laid the foundation for the invention of the lightning rod, a device still in use today to protect buildings from electrical storms.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Franklin played a pivotal role in the founding of the United States. He was the only person to sign all four major documents that shaped the nation:
- The Declaration of Independence (1776)
- The Treaty of Alliance with France (1778)
- The Treaty of Paris (1783), ending the Revolutionary War
- The U.S. Constitution (1787)
As a diplomat, Franklin was instrumental in securing French support for the American Revolution, a move that significantly shifted the balance in favor of the colonies.
Franklin also made lasting contributions to public life. He founded the first public library in America, the University of Pennsylvania, and the first fire department in Philadelphia. His Poor Richard’s Almanack, filled with wit and wisdom, was one of the most popular publications in colonial America.
He was a vocal abolitionist in his later years and served as president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, advocating for the end of slavery.
Benjamin Franklin’s legacy endures in countless ways. His image appears on the U.S. $100 bill, and he is remembered not only for his many inventions—such as bifocal glasses and the Franklin stove—but also for his visionary ideas about democracy, education, and civic responsibility.
On this day, 235 years after his death, we reflect on Franklin’s extraordinary life and the principles he championed—ingenuity, perseverance, and service to others. As Franklin once wrote, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” His life remains proof of that enduring truth.
Sources: U.S. National Archives, Franklin Institute, Library of Congress
