A Founding Father Finally Gets His Due?
After 250 years, Thomas Paine, the man whose words stirred the colonies toward independence, may finally receive a lasting honor in Washington, D.C.
A memorial to Paine, authorized by a 2022 law, is awaiting approval from the Department of the Interior. This would mark the first monument in the nation’s capital dedicated to this influential figure of the American Revolution.
Representative Jamie Raskin noted that Paine’s contributions have been “underrecognized.”
This year marks the 250th anniversary of Paine’s “Common Sense,” a key work that helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
While Congress has approved the memorial, its construction depends on private funding and the endorsement of the Interior Secretary.
The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission recommended the memorial be placed on the National Mall in September 2024. The Secretary of the Interior needs to approve the plan before it goes back to Congress for final approval. If all goes well, the memorial should be completed by 2030.
Margaret Downey, of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, remains hopeful, stating that Paine is a crucial figure in American history.
Paine’s ideas, particularly his later writings questioning organized religion in “The Age of Reason,” made him a controversial figure. He believed in God but challenged established religious institutions.
By the time he died in 1809, many of his former allies had distanced themselves from him.
Over time, figures from various movements have embraced Paine, and attitudes toward him have shifted.
While some communities have resisted honoring Paine, others have created landmarks in his name, such as the monument and museum in New Rochelle, New York.
Ronald Reagan quoted Paine during his 1980 Republican National Convention acceptance speech.
Paine, an immigrant from Britain, came to America seeking a better life.
Born in 1737, he had a varied working life before arriving in America in 1774. With a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, Paine found work as a writer in Philadelphia.
When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, Paine put his thoughts into “Common Sense.”
His writing helped shift public opinion toward independence. He questioned not just King George III’s actions but the very idea of monarchy and hereditary rule.
Historian Eric Foner noted that Paine’s appeal came from his forward-thinking ideas and his belief that people could shape their own futures. While some, like John Adams, were wary of Paine, others, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, valued his contributions.
Chief Justice John Roberts referenced “Common Sense” in his 2023 year-end report, highlighting Paine’s belief that government should serve the people.
