The British army was sent to Massachusetts to maintain order. It started a war instead. This is how our Revolutionary War began.
Imagining the Battle of Lexington
Graphic images of the Battle of Lexington, evolving over more than a century, have shaped the way Americans understand the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
A Revolution in Tar and Feathers
The story of John Malcom, coated with tar and feathers, reflects the changing nature of protest on the eve of the American Revolution.
A Portrait of George III
George III longed to be regarded as a patriot king. Johan Zoffany’s 1771 portrait cast the king in his favorite role with a daring visual allusion.
George Washington and the Genealogist
George Washington knew very little about his family history until an English genealogist spurred his interest. Washington pretended not to care.
The Enduring Importance of the American Revolution
The American Revolution is our national epic and the source of freedom in American life.
Verrazzano’s America
Five hundred years ago Giovanni da Verrazzano recorded the first observations of the Atlantic coast of the future United States. We still have much to learn.
Getting Right with the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a manifesto of national purpose — our most important expression of the ideals that have shaped our nation. That’s what our schools should teach.
The Crisis at Manassas Battlefield
Developers intent on building a massive data center complex are threatening Manassas battlefield. The battlefield’s defenders are intent on stopping them.
The Secret of Flight
Character as much as technical knowledge enabled the Wright brothers to discover the secret of flight. Their story is a testament to daring and determination.
Above: The Veteran in a New Field, Winslow Homer, 1865, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Bequest of Miss Adelaide Milton de Groot (1876-1967), 1967
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