Read the Revolution

Read the Revolution with Michael D. Hattem

January 2025

Author and historian Dr. Michael D. Hattem joined the Museum on Thursday, Jan. 23, for a lecture and discussion inspired by his latest book, The Memory of ‘76: The Revolution in American History. Drawing on his surprising history of how Americans have fought over the meaning and legacy of the American Revolution for nearly 250 years, Hattem discussed the Revolution's unique role in American politics and culture as a national "origin myth."

The Memory of '76 explores the importance of how generations of Americans have told the story of the Revolutionary War’s events and how politics have shaped how the Revolution is remembered, particularly in the creation and preservation of historic sites. Hattem also discussed the long tradition of "the unfinished Revolution" in American history. In this talk, he showed how the present has always shaped Americans' understanding of the Revolution's meaning and legacy and offer insights into the history of the changing relationship between the American people and their Revolution as we approach 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Sponsored by The Haverford Trust Company

About Dr. Michael D. Hattem

This image shows the book cover for The Memory of '76 to the left of author Michael Hattem's portrait.

Dr. Michael D. Hattem is a historian on early America, the American Revolution, and historical memory. He is the Associate Director of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute and teaches online graduate courses for Eastern Washington University. He earned his Ph.D. in History from Yale University, and he is the author of Past and Prologue: Politics and Memory in the American Revolution (Yale University Press, 2020). His work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME magazine, The Smithsonian Magazine, the Washington Post, as well as many other mainstream media publications and outlets. Hattem has served as a historical consultant or contributor for a number of projects and organizations, curated historical exhibitions, appeared in television documentaries, and authenticated and written catalogue essays for historical document auctions. For more information, visit mdhattem.com.