On This Day... 1776 | January 10: Common Sense

America's first meme is born. When Thomas Paine arrives from England, he is encouraged by Benjamin Franklin to write what others hesitate to say. The resulting pamphlet sends ripples from the Colonies to the other side of the Atlantic.

And what was once unthinkable, becomes irrefutable.

1776 is a week by week narrative of the most iconic year of America’s founding. This short-form historical series reexamines the American Revolution at a time when the idea of independence was far from inevitable.

Through pivotal figures and intimate moments, each short unfolds within the uncertainty of the moment, reframing the Revolution not as a foregone conclusion, but as a struggle shaped by the endurance of those willing to fight for what they imagined.

Produced by Primordial Soup. Made in part with AI from Google DeepMind. Follow Primordial Soup on Instagram and YouTube.