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Revolution as National Origin Story
- The American Revolution is a national origin story continuously reshaped by Americans over 250 years.
- How we remember the Revolution reflects more about current identities and politics than about 1776 itself.
Revolution Divides and Unifies
- The Revolution's memory unifies specific groups in often conflicting ways rather than the entire nation.
- It provides a shared political language to express various identities and visions.
Founders' Private Memories vs Public
- Founders like Adams and Jefferson shaped personal memories of the Revolution, but public memory was separate and politically contested.
- Their writings provide insight but didn't define public understanding for decades.