Paine Day

Paine (Thomas) Day

January 29

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was a propagandist and humanitarian whose influential pamphlet, Common Sense, is credited with persuading the American colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain. Six months after the publication of Common Sense in January 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. While Paine was serving in George Washington's army during the Revolutionary War, he wrote his inspirational tract, The Crisis, whose opening line was the famous, "These are the times that try men's souls."
On the Sunday nearest January 29, Paine's birthday, he is honored by members of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association in New Rochelle, New York. They lay a wreath at his monument in the Thomas Paine Memorial Museum, which houses some of his letters and personal effects. The museum is located on Paine's former farmland, and the cottage in which he lived is only a short walk away. This day is also known as Common Sense Day, to encourage the use of good sense in protecting the rights of all people.

CONTACTS:
Thomas Paine National Historical Association
983 North Ave.
New Rochelle, NY 10804
914-632-5376
www.thomaspaine.org

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, pp. 51, 98
AnnivHol-2000, p. 16

Celebration day: Jan 29