The Times That Tried Men’s Souls: TP's Service During the Revolutionary War

Please plan to join us for the yearly celebration of the official birthdate of one of the most important Founder of the United States of America, Thomas Paine. The online event, entitled “The Times That Tried Men’s Souls: Thomas Paine’s Service During the Revolutionary War,” will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT/7:00 PM EDT.

The logo for this event is a photo of a memorial to Thomas Paine. The memorial depicts Paine writing The American Crisis papers during the Revolutionary War. It was sculpted by Georg Lober. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1950 in Morristown, New Jersey.

The January 2026 event is sponsored by the Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA), Black Nonbelievers, Thomas Paine Historical Association, Freethought Society, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Thomas Paine Society, Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, American Atheists, Secular Coalition for America, American Humanist Association, and Center for Inquiry/Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason.

TPMA president Margaret Downey and TPMA board member Christopher Cameron will host the live online event.

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD District 8) and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05) will deliver opening words.

Little known facts about Paine’s military service will be disclosed and Jack Kelly, author of Tom Paine’s War will be the keynote speaker.
Actor Ian Ruskin will read excerpts from Paine’s The American Crisispapers, which were often written in battleground locations.

Gene Jones from Florida Veterans for Common Sense will talk about Paine’s heroism and how the government repaid his service.

A video created by caretakers of the Thomas Paine Cottage, Suzanne Tanswell and Gary Bush, will be shown. The cottage is located in New Rochelle, New York.

The Question and Answer segment will feature Thomas Paine expert Gary Berton along with TPMA Board Members Downey, Frances Chiu and Joy Masoff.

The event will end with a casual social hour and toasts to Paine’s legacy are welcomed. The first toast will come from sculptor Zenos Frudakis as he shows us the progress he has made creating a statue of Paine.

Pre-registration is required at the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ga-dvEPuR0iLzT5LA45BOw