Wealth of Nations

On this date in 1776 Adam Smith first published The Wealth of Nations; formally named An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.  A text on economics before the term economics had really come into the common vernacular, Smith makes a case for free trade and the pursuit of one's own interests.

The timing of this book may have been important in the influence of the nascent United States.  Notably it was once used to argue in the Congress against having an national bank.

Here is P. J. O'Rourke speaking with the wit one expects of him on this famous book at The Independent Institute, he goes on at 8:15:

Available free to read here or an audio version of the book is available from LibriVox.