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Mercy Otis Warren Mercy Otis Warren was called "The Conscience of the American Revolution." She was wife of Massachusetts House Speaker James Warren and sister of patriot James Otis. Mercy Otis Warren corresponded with many American leaders, including: Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton and John Adams. In 1805, Mercy Otis Warren published a three-volume "History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution." In her work, "Observations on the new Constitution, and on the Federal and State Conventions," 1788, Mercy Otis Warren wrote: "The immediate gift of the Creator obliges every one ... to resist the first approaches of...

Full title: Archaeologists uncover secrets of historic Revolutionary War battle site BOSTON – Archeologists using 21st-century technology are mapping out the exact spots British soldiers and Colonial militiamen were standing as they fired at each other during a pivotal skirmish on the first day of the American Revolution. Parker's Revenge, as the fight is known, occurred on April 19, 1775, after the battles of Lexington and Concord as the redcoats retreated to Boston. Capt. John Parker, commander of the 77-member Lexington militia, had met the 700-strong British column on the green at 5:30 a.m. Eight of his men were killed...

Before July 4th, 1776, let’s remember Captain Jeremiah O’Brien (1744–1818) commanded the sloop Unity when on June 12, 1775 she captured the British armed schooner HMS Margaretta in the Battle of Machias, the first naval battle of the American Revolutionary War. Under the command of Jeremiah O’Brien, thirty-one townsmen sailed aboard Unity armed with guns, swords, axes, and pitch forks and captured Margaretta in an hour-long battle. This battle is often considered the first time British colors were struck to those of the United States, even though the Continental Navy did not exist at the time. The United States Merchant...

Here's an American Revolutionary War history quiz that I modified such that even a typical Obama supporter might score 50 percent. The questions are from an actual quiz meant for grade schoolers. 1) What country did the American colonies rebel against? America Turkestan Bolivia Antarctica Britain2) How many of the American Colonies were a part of the revolution?None All 57 133) What year did the Revolutionary War begin?The war never occurred The year Obama was born The year is unknown 17754) What was the main reason that the American Colonies rebelled and fought for their independence?They wanted their own language...

LIBERTY! The American Revolution is a dramatic documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. The George Foster Peabody award-winning series brings the people, events and ideas of the revolution to life through military reenactments and dramatic recreations performed by a distinguished cast. _________________________ EPISODE 1: "The Reluctant Revolutionaries" 1763-1774In 1763, the capitol city of America is London, George Washington is lobbying for a post in the British army, and no one thinks of Boston harbor when they hear talk of tea parties. In a dozen...

As a huge television buff, I'm uniquely qualified to render this opinion: "Turn" is the best show currently playing on any network.It's the story of young father caught up in the American Revolution, who, trying to keep his head down and nose clean, ultimately decides to become a spy for the Continental Army. Based upon a book I'd neither read nor even heard of, Alexander Rose’s "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring,” it adroitly weaves in the exploits of Abraham Woodhull with the better-known stories and events of the war.I was first drawn to it due its...

Casimir Pulaski Day is a holiday observed in Illinois on the first Monday of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski (March 6, 1745 – October 11, 1779), a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland as Kazimierz Pułaski. He is praised for his contributions to the U.S. military in the American Revolution and known as "the father of the American cavalry".More

I would like you to imagine something with me. I would like you to imagine that you are in your kitchen, preparing the evening meal for your family. It's something you've done countless times before, and will do countless times again. And as you stand there, cutting carrots, your eyes drift up again to the spot. That spot. Every house has them - tiny scars of documented memory, incidents of life written in wood and plaster. In some houses it's the scratched door where an over-eager dog always begs to go out. In others a series of pencil marks on...

Early in the morning, two hundred thirty eight years ago, George Washington and the Continental Army reached the outskirts of Trenton, New Jersey. Much like today, no-one really wanted to go to New Jersey, but they were forced by circumstances to make the arduous trek. Washington’s force of 2,400 men surprised, and ultimately defeated, the 1,400 Hessian mercenaries who were fighting on behalf of the British Crown. A much needed win was tallied under the Patriot’s side of the scoreboard, emboldening the Continental Army and our quest for freedom. Washington had lead his men through the icy waters of the...

The Badge of Military Merit, which would eventually become the Purple Heart, was established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782 and awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. It was not awarded again until after World War I and, having not been formally abolished, is the oldest military award still given in the United States.

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of the leaders of the Sons Of Liberty, Marinus Willett. Willett participated and also led in many battles throughout the Revolutionary War, eventually becoming a New York state assemblyman, then sheriff and later mayor of New York City. We fly the Sons Of Liberty flag today in his honor.

July 18, 1792 is the date of John Paul Jones' death in France, following his service to the United States during the Revolutionary War (along with brief service to Russia afterward). During the Revolutionary War, he commanded Ranger in the defeat of HMS Drake, then later commanded Bonhomme Richard in the battle with HMS Serapis. Although Jones captured Serapis, the Richard sank following the battle, and Jones sailed the Serapis to Holland. To help Jones avoid charges of piracy, the "Serapis Flag" was entered into Dutch records as the flag he flew when he captured the ship, and it became...

On July 17, 1775, The Culpeper Minutemen were organized in Virginia during the Revolutionary War. The Minutemen, including John Marshall, future Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, participated in the battles of Hampton and Great Bridge late in 1775 before being disbanded in January 1776. They are remembered also for their distinctive company flag, which we raise in their honor today.

For the Journal of the American Revolution, Todd Andrlik compiled a list of the ages of the key participants in the Revolutionary War as of July 4, 1776. Many of them were surprisingly young: Marquis de Lafayette, 18 James Monroe, 18 Gilbert Stuart, 20 Aaron Burr, 20 Alexander Hamilton, 21 Betsy Ross, 24 James Madison, 25 This is kind of blowing my mind...because of the compression of history, I'd always assumed all these people were around the same age. But in thinking about it, all startups need young people...Hamilton, Lafayette, and Burr were perhaps the Gates, Jobs, and Zuckerberg of...

As we celebrate the 4th of July let's take a moment to reflect on the enormous cost, in lives and treasure, that it took us to earn our independence. •8.37 years was how long the war lasted •80,000 militia and Continental Army soldiers served at the height of the war •56,000 British soldiers fought at the height of the war •30,000 German mercenaries known as Hessians fought for Britain during the war •55,000 Americans served as privateers during the war •25,000 Revolutionary Soldiers died during the war •8,000 Revolutionary Soldiers died from wounds inflicted during battle •17,000 Revolutionary Soldiers died...

On this day in 1778, General George Washington issued a warrant to Mary "Molly" Hays, making her a non-commissioned officer in the Continental Army, for her bravery during the Battle of Monmouth the previous day. During the battle, Molly carried water to the troops in the field. When her husband collapsed while manning one of the cannon, Molly took his place, continuing to swab and load the cannon through the remainder of the battle, despite having one British cannonball pass between her legs but doing nothing more than removing the bottom portion of her petticoats.

One of the more famous of the early battle of the Revolutionary War took place on this day in 1775 when the Colonial Army faced the British at the battle of Bunker Hill. Although it was a British victory in the end, the American colonists inflicted much heavier casualties on the British than they suffered, and proved to the British they could - and would - stand up against the British army. Today's flag is known as the Bunker Hill flag.

Today in 1777, the Marquis de La Fayette, at the age of 19, arrived in South Carolina in an effort to join the American Revolution. After informing Congress he would serve without pay, Congress commissioned him as a major general and Washington accepted him as his aide-de-camp in August 1777. La Fayette would eventually lead troops throughout the Revolution, and helped defeat Cornwallis in Yorktown in 1781. An American flag continues to fly on his grave in France to this day.

Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the more notable members of the Sons of Liberty, was born on this date in 1741. It was Warren, after receiving intelligence on the impending attack by the British on Concord, who sent William Dawes and Paul Revere on their midnight rides to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock and sound the alarm. Warren later led troops in the battles of Lexington and Concord and later at Bunker Hill, where he helped inspire the men to hold their ground against the British, and where was killed in action. In his honor, we raise the Sons...

John Adams stood before Congress in Philadelphia on this day in 1775 and proposed the formation of a Continental Army, utilizing the men laying seige to British-occupied Boston. A few days later, Adams would formally nominate George Washington to lead this new army.