Description
On January 9 or 10, 1776, a 46-, 47-, or 48-page pamphlet helped change the course of history. In this presentation, Common Sense and the Birth of Independence, Greg Jarboe, a local journalist for The Acton Exchange, who studied comparative colonial history at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, explores how Thomas Paine’s Common Sense acted as a political accelerant – shifting American colonists from hoping for reconciliation with Britain to demanding full independence. Using plain language and moral clarity, Paine challenged monarchy, hereditary rule, and the authority of King George III. His ideas spread rapidly through taverns, churches, and military camps, reaching ordinary citizens and soldiers alike. The presentation examines the strong historical evidence that Common Sense may have been read aloud at Jones Tavern and by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Falukner to the Acton militia during the Siege of Boston, connecting Paine’s words directly to the men preparing to fight for independence. The talk also highlights how this surge in public opinion resonated locally in Acton, Massachusetts, where residents voted for independence at a Town Meeting on June 14, 1776 – weeks before the Continental Congress took formal action. Beyond the American Revolution, the talk considers Paine’s enduring legacy, including his influence on the Declaration of Independence and his faith in the power of ordinary people to shape history. This event was recorded at the Acton Memorial Library as part of the community’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Common Sense, with thanks to members of Iron Work Farm, the Acton Minutemen, Acton Historical Commission, and local historians for their help in fact-checking and historical interpretation. Location: Acton Memorial Library, Acton, MA Event: 250th Anniversary of Common Sense Speaker: Greg Jarboe If you’re interested in the American Revolution, local history, or how ideas can ignite political change, this presentation offers a fresh, deeply researched perspective – rooted in both national impact and Acton’s unique role in the birth of independence. http://www.actontv.org
