April 18, 2025
On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati is proud to announce the launch of its new short-form video series titled Year in Revolution. This educational video series is one of the Institute’s marquee initiatives commemorating the Semiquincentennial of the American Revolutionary War.
Designed for classroom use, Year in Revolution models the “Essential Questions” approach to learning. Topics featured in the series were developed in collaboration with the Institute’s national network of teachers, all of whom have participated in its Master Teachers Seminar program. Beginning with 1775 and ending with 1783, students and lifelong learners alike will learn about each year of the Revolution through a comprehensive overview video and five “who, what, where, when and how” videos. “Who” explores categories of people from the revolutionary generation, “what” explores revolutionary ideas and ideals, “when” explores revolutionary events, “where” explores key places during the Revolution, and “how” explores relationships that defined the Revolution.
The animated series draws heavily from the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati’s library and museum collections. These videos will make the Revolution’s complexities accessible to a younger audience and broaden their understanding of the American Revolution using primary sources and compelling, factual narratives. “April 19th marks the anniversary of a pivotal moment when British subjects in the colonies first fought for the choice to become citizens of a new nation. This inaugural set of videos for Year in Revolution uses archival animation in a way that makes learning more fun and more engaging for people of all ages,” said Andy Morse, executive director of the Society and the Institute.
Year in Revolution is produced by Makematic, a world-leading producer of educational video content for students, teachers and lifelong learners. Makematic CEO Mark Nagurski added: “It’s been an absolute delight to work with the American Revolution Institute on this project. Not only are they world-leading experts in their own right, but their library of documents, maps, and original objects is truly unique. It’s made for an exceptional series of videos that’s both visually compelling and jam-packed with learning.”
The Year in Revolution series was made possible through a grant from the George S. Rich Family Foundation.
Watch the videos at https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/year-in-revolution/.
The Society of the Cincinnati was founded by the officers of the Continental Army and Navy as well as their French counterparts to perpetuate the memory and enduring achievements of the American Revolution. Through its American Revolution Institute, the Society accomplishes its educational mission. The Institute houses one of the world’s leading research libraries on the revolutionary period and provides opportunities for teachers, students, scholars and lifelong learners to engage with the history of the American Revolution through museum exhibitions, public programs, and a robust lecture and video program.