Revolutionary War – Religion & Liberty Online

May 07, 2026

Washington the Great

What made George Washington so great? This is the question asked by H.W. Brands in the last chapter of his new biography, American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington. If one made a list of qualities that make an effective leader, Washington would check a lot of boxes: He was brave, diligent, resourceful, and inspiring. Continue Reading...

August 13, 2024

A Revolution Captured on Canvas

In John Adams’ estimation, the American Revolution began with an argument in a back room in Boston. “Who of your profession will undertake to paint a Debate or an Argument?” the former president asked of the artist John Trumbull in a letter in 1817. Continue Reading...

February 21, 2022

George Washington will not be canceled

Cancel—as in noisily toppling George Washington’s statue and striking his name off of buildings? In 2020, one group demanded the removal of his statue from the campus of the University of Washington. Continue Reading...

July 08, 2021

In celebrating American liberty, let’s not forget the role of religion

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress officially endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Parades, public readings, and bonfires ensued. These spontaneous celebrations developed into the Independence Day traditions that Americans still enjoy today. Continue Reading...

December 11, 2013

7 Great Books for Christmas

This short list of books is meant to avoid the obvious works one might find in a Christmas list. So I’ve omitted great works like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Continue Reading...

December 14, 2011

Patrick Henry Trust a Super Committee? Never.

This week’s Acton Commentary comes from Thomas S. Kidd, professor of history at Baylor University. Professor Kidd is the author of a new biography of Patrick Henry, and he sees in Henry’s anti-federalism a certain foresight that Madison and Jefferson lacked. Continue Reading...