Professor Robert Allison, whose area of interest is American history, is about to offer his knowledge and insight to a new audience – the people of North Korea.

On July 4, Allison’s commentary will be heard in North Korea through Voice of America radio, which broadcasts news, information, and educational and cultural programming to a worldwide audience of about 134 million people.

Voice of America reporter Hyun Suk Kim was on assignment in Boston, looking at the city's historical significance. She interviewed Allison at the Old State House, gathering information to put together a virtual tour via radio.

“We talked about the importance of Boston in the Revolution, the Boston Tea Party, and the importance of independence,” said Allison, chair of the University’s History Department.

Kim wanted to know why the Revolution began in Boston.

“I told her because of the unique system in Boston where people have control of their own government and a voice in what their government does” said Allison. “I also told her that people are the ultimate source of authority and that government serves the people, not the other way around.”

As a historian, Allison finds it exciting to teach at a university in the heart of Boston.

“We are in the middle of the greatest historical city in North America,” he said. “It is very exciting – not to mention convenient -- to have so many wonderful historical sites and stories just outside our front door.”