Thomas Paine Publishes The Crisis: These Are the Times That Try Men's Souls
Thomas Paine launches the first of his "American Crisis" pamphlets to ignite colonial resolve, directly transforming wavering morale into the fighting spirit needed to survive the winter at Valley Forge. This surge in public support convinced thousands of hesitant soldiers to reenlist, ensuring the Continental Army remained intact when British forces threatened to crush the revolution.
December 19, 1776
250 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on December 19
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