Episode 639 Show Notes- Peter Salem: From Slave to Soldier and Hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill
↓ The P.A.S. Report Podcast is on every podcast platform! ↓
Episode Description
In this episode of America’s Founding Series, Professor Giordano brings to life the powerful and often overlooked story of Peter Salem. A former enslaved man who became a Revolutionary War hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Discover how Salem’s courage helped change the course of history and why his legacy, along with others, get the recognition they deserve. This compelling account challenges the mainstream narrative and reveals the diverse roots of American freedom, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in U.S. history, patriotism, and the true story of our nation’s founding.
Episode Highlights:
- The heroic moment Peter Salem shot British Major Pitcairn at Bunker Hill and how it impacted the battle
- The little-known history of Black patriots who shaped America’s fight for independence
- Why Salem’s legacy forces us to rethink the dominant narratives of America’s founding
📲 Subscribe to The P.A.S. Report’s America’s Founding Series to learn about forgotten patriots and the untold stories that shaped the fabric of America.
Click play above to listen to the entire episode or you can listen on any podcast platform
Show Notes- Peter Salem: From Slave to Soldier and Hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill
01:00 Peter Salem Born a Slave
03:15 From Slave to Soldier
05:31 Peter Salem and the Battle of Bunker Hill
06:23 Peter Salem Kills British Major John Pitcairn
09:15 The Battle of Harlem Heights, the Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Monmouth, and the Battle of Stony Point
11:03 His Commitment to Service
12:10 Readjusting to Civilian Life
13:03 Other Black Patriots Who Shaped America’s Fight for Independence
Peter Salem: The Enslaved Patriot Who Became a Hero of Bunker Hill
America’s Founding Series – The P.A.S. Report Podcast
Most Americans know about the Battle of Bunker Hill, but few know the name Peter Salem, the formerly enslaved man whose musket may have changed the tide of the battle. In the latest episode of America’s Founding Series, Professor Nicholas Giordano brings Peter Salem’s extraordinary story to the forefront, showing how his courage, conviction, and sacrifice helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution.
Born into slavery in Framingham, Massachusetts, Salem’s path to freedom came through service. He was granted his liberty in exchange for enlisting in the colonial militia, a powerful testament to the era’s contradictions and the personal bravery it demanded of Black patriots. Salem answered the call, fighting not just for a nation, but for the possibility of his own freedom and future.
At Bunker Hill, amidst the chaos of gunfire and cannon smoke, Salem is credited with firing the shot that killed British Major John Pitcairn. This pivotal moment disrupted British momentum and became a symbol of defiance. But Peter Salem’s heroism didn’t end there. He went on to serve in key battles across the Revolutionary War, including Harlem Heights, Saratoga, and Stony Point.
This episode goes beyond the battlefield to examine how Black patriots like Salem, Salem Poor, James Armistead Lafayette, and Prince Estabrook were instrumental in America’s founding, long before the nation was ready to honor their contributions.
🎧 Listen now to learn:
The truth behind Peter Salem’s legendary shot at Bunker Hill
How Black patriots fought for liberty in a nation that denied them freedom
Why Salem’s legacy forces us to rethink the traditional narrative of America’s founding
Listen to the full episode of America’s Founding Series to learn more about Peter Salem and his rise from a slave to a hero at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The P.A.S. Report wants to hear from you. Send your feedback to podcast@pasreport.com. Please leave a 5-star rating and write a review on Apple Podcasts.
Please share this episode with others & on social media.
Protect your privacy online with PureVPN
Online privacy is not optional. A VPN helps keep browsing more private by encrypting internet traffic, masking an IP address, and reducing exposure on public Wi-Fi. It also helps limit tracking and can support access to content when networks block or restrict it.
✅ Encrypts Your Data & Internet Traffic for Added Privacy
✅ Masks Your IP Address & Location
✅ Bypasses Geo-Restrictions & Censorship
✅ Helps Secure Public Wi-Fi Connections
*Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If a purchase is made through these links, PA Strategies, LLC may earn a commission at no additional cost to the buyer.
*PA Strategies, LLC. may earn advertising revenue or a small commission for promoting products or when you purchase through any affiliate links on this website and within this post.