Explore the American Revolution
The American Revolution secured our national independence, established our republic, created our national identity and articulated our highest ideals. Discover the people, events and ideas that shaped one of the most important movements in world history.
Read our statement on Why the American Revolution Matters on our blog.
The Shaping
of the
Revolution
What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations… This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.
John Adams to Hezekiah Niles, February 13, 1818
The Revolutionary War
The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
George Washington, Address to the Continental Army, August 27, 1776
The Revolutionary War
The Revolutionary Republic
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Declaration of Independence, Adopted July 4, 1776
The Legacy
of the
Revolution
Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
Martin Luther King, Jr., Address at the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963