American Revolution
The American Revolution (1775–1783) was a watershed moment that reshaped the course of history. It marked the triumph of an idea—that a people could govern themselves—and established the United States as a republic. In addition to securing America’s independence from British rule, the American Revolution sowed the beginnings of freedom and individual rights articulated in the Declaration of Independence and later codified in the Constitution. Virginians like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry contributed significantly to the era's political, military, and ideological landscape. Their contributions also reflect a foundational paradox: their advocacy for the ideals of liberty and equality coexisted with the oppression of enslaved and Indigenous people. Across the ensuing 250 years, Americans have continued to explore the Revolution’s legacy and to debate the meaning of its ideals of liberty and equality.