THE MEANING OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TODAY

Historians Explore Divisiveness Then and Now in July 4th Discussion

As a celebration of America's Independence Day in 2010, www.ourvoiceourcountry.org premiered The Meaning of the American Revolution Today, a moderated discussion was recorded, featuring three of America's top Revolutionary-era historians:

Thomas Fleming, award-winning author of over 30 books on The Revolution, including Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers (the New York American Revolution Round Table's 2009 Book of the Year).

Carol Berkin, Professor of Revolutionary History at Baruch College and author of Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence.

R. Scott Stephenson, Director of Collections and Interpretation at the American Revolution Center in Philadelphia.

The discussion will be moderated by Jon Mann, www.ourvoiceourcountry.org’s founder and director. Musical segments provided by Linda Russell.

During an engaging and informative 30-minute program, the participants comment, share insights and recall anecdotes about divisions and necessary compromises in society, politics and the military that helped our democracy survive the Revolution. What lessons learned then can help us to overcome the divisiveness in our country today?

Participate, by posting questions, the first 25 of which our historians will answer in writing. You can also initiate or take part in discussions about the content.

Use the buttons above to participate -- by posting questions, the first 25 of which our historians will answer in writing; you can also initiate or take part in discussions about the content.

Thomas Fleming’s new summary of the American Revolution appears on the research page of the ourvoiceourcountry.org website. A 50th anniversary edition of his book about the Battle of Bunker Hill—Now We Are Enemies: The Story of Bunker Hill—was re-issued on June 17th, the anniversary of that pivotal event, by American History Press. Mr. Fleming has just returned from speaking about his book and the events it describes to cheering crowds at Bunker Hill and other locations.

Our Voice Our Country.org draws upon the rich history of American Popular Movements as a springboard to engage the public in reflection and participation. The site provides an accessible and interactive system that enables users to continue the work of these movements and initiate and build new ones - online.

The Meaning of the American Revolution Today program marks a new level of educational service and public engagement for this unique site, which has conducted three national scholarship competitions and has drawn 200,000 visitors since going online in 2009.

The research page of OVOC, where the American Revolution and other American Popular Movements are celebrated, remembered and examined, is being developed as a go-to resource for students, teachers, researchers and the general public. To that end, prominent historians are writing new summaries for each American Popular Movement at www.ourvoiceourcountry.org.

Special thanks to The Yudelson Foundation for making The Meaning of The American Revolution Today possible.