American independence was won by brave soldiers and sailors, American and French, who served in the armies and navies of the United States and France, in the militia, in state troops, and on privateers. The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati honors their service and their memory, and encourages all Americans to appreciate the sacrifices they made to ensure the freedom we enjoy.
Officers Represented in the Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati was established by the officers of the Continental Army in 1783 to perpetuate the memory of their struggle for American independence and to preserve their patriotic brotherhood. The modern members of the Society of the Cincinnati represent 3,432 officers who led American and French soldiers and sailors in our War for Independence. The Society is a living memorial to those officers and promotes popular understanding and appreciation of the achievements of the American Revolution.
We encourage all our visitors to read Why the American Revolution Matters, our basic statement about the importance of the American Revolution. It outlines what every American should understand about the central event in American history. It will take you less than five minutes to read—and a few seconds to send the link to your friends, family and colleagues so they can read it, too.
If you share our concern about ensuring that all Americans understand and appreciate the constructive achievements of the American Revolution, we invite you to join our movement. Sign up for news and notices from the American Revolution Institute. It costs nothing to express your commitment to thoughtful, responsible, balanced, non-partisan history education.