U.S. and UK National Archives Collaborate on American Revolutionary War Program
Press Release · Thursday, February 23, 2023

Washington, DC

On Friday, March 3, at 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. GMT, the U.S. National Archives joins with the UK National Archives to present a special program, “Rebellion or Revolution? Understanding the American Revolutionary War.” In conjunction with the U.S. National Archives’ America 250 commemoration and The National Archives UK special exhibition Treason: People, Power and Plot, this joint program explores records from both collections that reveal American and British perspectives on patriotism and loyalty in the American Revolution.

Rebellion or Revolution? Understanding the American Revolutionary War
Friday, March 3, at 9 a.m. ET/2 p.m. GMT
Register to attend online; watch on the National Archives YouTube Channel
This conversation between Philippa Hellawell from The National Archives UK and Corinne Porter from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration will discuss how loyalty was understood in the context of the American Revolutionary War and the factors that influenced the loyalties of diverse individuals in the conflict.

Using highlights from both collections The program will explore British and American perspectives on major moments in the American Revolution including the First Continental Congress’s response to the Intolerable Acts, King George III’s Proclamation of Rebellion following Congress’s Olive Branch Petition, and the Declaration of Independence accusing the British King of being the traitor. 

About the U.S. National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent federal agency that serves American democracy by safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government, so people can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. The National Archives ensures continuing access to the essential documentation of the rights of American citizens and the actions of their government. From the Declaration of Independence to accounts of ordinary Americans, the holdings of the National Archives directly touch the lives of millions of people. The agency supports democracy, promotes civic education, and facilitates historical understanding of our national experience. The National Archives carries out its mission through a nationwide network of archives, records centers, and Presidential Libraries and online at www.archives.gov. 

America 250, the commemoration spearheaded by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, will encourage Americans to remember our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a promising future. The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission was established by Congress to inspire Americans to participate in the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, which will be commemorated in 2026.