America 250 Series: Historical and Genealogical Importance of America’s Forgotten Patriots

As we approach our nation’s America 250, the Semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our great nation, it is essential that we are reminded of our founding principles, and that all voices and sacrifices that help shape our nation's founding are recognized. Nearly 10,000 Americans of African and Indigenous ancestry contributed to the Revolutionary War effort, but unfortunately their stories have been minimized or forgotten from history. Their descendants are unaware of their ancestors’ crucial roles in shaping our nation's history and in its founding. By highlighting their contributions, we hope to enrich the historical narrative by reevaluating, recontextualizing and honoring the legacy and collective understanding of the diverse tapestry of American history and our nation’s Forgotten Patriots, and to provide a historical and genealogical roadmap for their descendants.