1776
Thomas Paine published his 47-page pamphlet in Philadelphia on this day, presenting a radical case for total independence from Great Britain. The pamphlet anonymously advocated for an immediate declaration of independence, calling King George III a “tyrant.” It became the first “viral” work in American history, selling an estimated 120,000 copies in its first three months—roughly one for every 25 people in the colonies. George Washington observed that it was “working a powerful change... in the minds of many men,” effectively ending many colonists' hope for reconciliation and paving the way for the Declaration of Independence six months later.
1781
A dangerous internal crisis for the Continental Army was settled in Trenton, New Jersey. After 10 days of mutiny sparked by a lack of pay and food, approximately 2,400 soldiers from Pennsylvania accepted a formal settlement. As part of the deal reached on January 10, the mutineers handed over two British agents who had been sent to entice them to defect. The agents were immediately put on trial, convicted, and sentenced to death. The next day, they were hanged as spies, proving the mutineers' continued commitment to the Patriot cause.