Patriotic Myth, Memory, and the American Revolution

As we continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence this summer, this lecture revisits several of the American Revolution’s most famous episodes through the lens of modern historical scholarship. From the Boston Tea Party to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, we will compare popular memory with the historical record and examine how later generations shaped the stories many Americans learned in school. Rather than diminish the achievements of the founding generation, a closer examination reveals a Revolution that was more complex, more human, and ultimately more remarkable than the simplified narratives that often define it.

Join us for an engaging and thought provoking exploration of one of the most important events in American history!

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David Yanik is a public educator and historian specializing in the American Revolution and early America. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history, and is an active member of Sons of the American Revolution. His work seeks to make the history of America’s founding engaging, accessible, and “meaningful for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.”