The American Revolution has been contested since its very beginning. During the Revolution, contemporaries looking to understand what independence meant had to shift through disinformation and journalism rife with as many opinions as today. In the war's aftermath, narratives of the Revolution went through continuous reinterpretations in response to political and social changes. From the Civil War to the Cold War and newsrooms to Hollywood, Americans looked to the Revolutionary era to debate and define what it meant to be an American, with often divisive results. Now, during the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, Jordan Taylor and Michael Hattem, will examine commentary in Revolutionary-era newspapers and broadsides, consider how understanding of American independence has changed over time, and reflect on how the public sees the nation’s founding today.

This talk is part of an annual lecture series in honor of President Emeritus Dennis Fiori in recognition of his leadership. The lecture series is made possible by gifts from friends of the Society.