The Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA) and a coalition of leading secular, historical, and humanist organizations invite the public to the annual celebration of the birth of one of America’s most influential Founders — Thomas Paine. This year’s online commemorative program, “The Times That Tried Men’s Souls: Thomas Paine’s Service During The Revolutionary War,” will take place on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
TPMA, which educates about Paine’s legacy, has been authorized by Congress to erect a memorial to Paine in Washington, D.C. The group has since received preliminary approval to pursue a memorial in Area 1 (close to the United States Capitol Building). The approval bill is awaiting congressional action.
Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and The American Crisis, played an indispensable role in igniting the call for independence and sustaining morale through the darkest moments of the Revolution. His writing, service, and vision for a democratic society continue to inspire generations. Paine’s contributions recently have been highlighted in Ken Burns’ documentary “The American Revolution.”
Event Highlights
Distinguished Opening Remarks
The program will commence with words from Members of Congress Jamie Raskin and Victoria Spartz, with a special appearance from Benjamin Franklin.
Keynote Presentation
Acclaimed historian and author Jack Kelly — whose book Tom Paine’s War explores Paine’s firsthand experiences during the Revolution — will deliver a keynote address examining Paine’s military service and enduring relevance. Kelly will cover:
Paine’s background and rise to prominence
His Common Sense pamphlet and his influence on the Declaration of Independence
His service with the Pennsylvania militia and involvement with the Continental Army
The fall of Fort Washington and Fort Lee
The march across New Jersey
The writing of The American Crisis and its impact on the battles of Trenton and Princeton
Paine’s legacy in modern times
Readings from Paine’s Writings
Award-winning actor Ian Ruskin, known for his one-man show portraying Paine, will perform a dramatic reading from The American Crisis synchronized with a photo slide show of various images of the Paine memorial sculpted by Georg Lober, dedicated in 1950 in Morristown, New Jersey. The statue portrays Paine in the midst of writing The American Crisis during the Revolutionary War — capturing both his intellectual and patriotic courage.
A Veteran’s Perspective
Gene Jones of Florida Veterans for Common Sense will speak about Paine’s heroism, the challenges he aced after the war, and why Paine remains a powerful symbol of principled military service today.
Showcase: The Thomas Paine Cottage
A video created by Suzanne Tanswell and Gary Bush, trustees of the Huguenot New Rochelle Historical Association which owns the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle, New York, will highlight one of the most important historical sites connected to Paine’s life.
Additional Program Features
Musical selection from the celebrated play ‘The Crossing’
Live Q&A with Jack Kelly, Gary Berton, Christopher Cameron, Ian Ruskin, Margaret Downey, Gene Jones, Frances Chiu, Joy Masoff, Suzanne Tanswell, and Gary Bush
Cosponsor messages from national organizations
Credits slideshow
A post-event Social Hour and Toasts, including a special opening toast by renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis, who will show his progress in creating a statue of Thomas Paine that will be placed in a prestigious pre-approved location in Washington, D.C.
Event Hosts and Sponsors
The event will be co-hosted by TPMA President Margaret Downey and TPMA Board Member Christopher Cameron.
Sponsors include:
Thomas Paine Memorial Association
Black Nonbelievers
Thomas Paine Historical Association
Freethought Society
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Thomas Paine Society
Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
American Atheists
Secular Coalition for America
American Humanist Association
Center for Inquiry/Richard Dawkins Foundation
Join Us
This event offers an extraordinary opportunity to rediscover Thomas Paine’s contributions through scholarship, performance, and reflection.
Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required.
On Saturday, November 1, 2025, the traditional Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular International Online Event will take place at Noon PDT/3:00 PM EDT. Please register for this event at the following Zoom link:
This event is hosted by David Tamayo, Margaret Downey, and Memo Benumea.
Actor, producer, and director Jon Huertas will deliver an inspiring welcome.
Tamayo will present his recorded farewell visit with the late Hector Avalos, who was a professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University, a cultural anthropologist, and the author of several books on religion. Avalos was an atheist and advocate of secular humanist ethics.
Dan Barker, the co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, will honor the life and work of political cartoonist Steve Benson.
Actor, monologist, and author Julia Sweeney will deliver an appreciation of the life of singer, songwriter, and social activist Jill Sobule.
Freedom From Religion Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor will honor Life Member Dick Hewetson.
Podcaster, author, and public speaker Seth Andrews will honor the life of scientist and professor Abby Hafer.
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Best Female Hair Adornment
Best Male Hair Adornment
Best Female Face Makeup
Best Male Face Makeup
Best Zoom Box
Best Overall
Sponsors of the event include the Freethought Society, Hispanic American Freethinkers, American Humanist Association, the Center for Inquiry/Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, Black Nonbelievers, Secular Coalition for America, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Two 2024 Secular Day of the Dead Events Enjoyed by Many
Photos From the 2024 International Online Dia de los Muertos Secular Event
Photos From the 2024 Secular Day of the Dead In-Person Event
Part Four of a Five-Part Series: Questions Answered by Herb Silverman by Herb Silverman
Article on Freethought Society’s YouTube Channel
Freedom From Religion’s Foundation’s 2024 Conference by Margaret Downey
Thomas Paine Memorial Association Outreach Efforts
Superstition by Hugh Taft-Morales
Review of Mark Aaron Alsip’s Bound by Faith by Jackie Ralston
Freethought Society Calendar Page
Donation and Information Page
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The Freethought Society will once again cosponsor an international Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular Zoom event on Thursday, November 2, 2023. The bilingual event will start at 4:00 PM (PDT)/7:00 PM (EDT). Other sponsors are Hispanic American Freethinkers, Black Nonbelievers, Center For Inquiry, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the Secular Coalition for America.
If you would like to see a pre-event video addressing the “appropriations” question, please log into to the event 15-minutes early. We will be showing the 2022 educational and entertaining video created by Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular board member Memo Benumea. The video can also be seen any time at the below link:
A Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular event is a celebration of life. Nontheist Hispanics view this day as a perfect way to remember the legacies of dead loved ones in a way that does not require prayer, church, or religious dogma. To nontheists our legacies are our afterlife. More and more people are abandoning their religious upbringing but still want to celebrate the beauty of their culture. This is why a Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular event was created.
The 2023 event will include many secularly designed Hispanic traditions and rituals that celebrate life legacies, cultural heritage, and our one and only life. All are welcome.
We are pleased to host author Hector A. Garcia as the 2023 keynote speaker. Garcia is the author of Alpha God: The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression and Sex, Power, And Partisanship.
Actor Jon Huertas will open the program with a special message. He has starred in the television series This is Us, Castle, and many others. He is also a Hollywood director and producer.
The 2023 Secular Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Secular program will include musical performances and unique presentations by Rolando Ávila, Martin Bonfil, Abraham Lopez LeFuente, Daniel Zepeda, and Salvador Leon Beltrán.
Attendees are encouraged to participate in the honoring ceremony. Three-to-five-minute videos can be sent to the following event organizer: margaret@FtSociety.org. Videos must be received by October 8, 2023. If honoring the life of a loved one on the evening of the event, please keep memorial remarks under five minutes.
Prizes will be awarded for the best Zoom box decor, face painting, honoring table, and hair/hat adornment.
Below is the international event registration link as well as the Freethought Society Meetup page link:
Hear ye, hear ye! It’s time to celebrate the birth of Thomas Paine! The Zoom celebration will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Noon (PST)/3:00 PM (EST). Registration at the below link:
The 2023 Thomas Paine birthdate celebration is sponsored by the Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA), Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), Secular Student Alliance, Center For Inquiry (CFI), and The Freethought Society.
The theme of the 2023 event is “Thomas Paine Birthdate Proclamation Celebration.” TPMA board members will each read a Thomas Paine Day proclamation as an example of how a proclamation can be written to honor the life of our freethought hero. Thomas Paine Day is celebrated on June 8th every year. In Europe his date of death is used as an official time to reflect upon and honor his life accomplishments. Paine died on June 8, 1809.
Actor Ian Ruskin will be reading a New Rochelle, New York proclamation. Author, comedian, and monologist Julia Sweeney will be reading a City of Philadelphia proclamation signed by former Mayor Edward G. Rendell. Another City of Philadelphia proclamation, signed by former mayor Michael A. Nutter, will be read by author and educator Christopher Cameron. Actor John de Lancie and his wife Marnie Mosiman de Lancie will be reading proclamations from the cities of Lancaster and York, Pennsylvania. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of FFRF will be reading the Urbana, Illinois proclamation. President and CEO of CFI, Robyn Blumner, will be reading the Bordentown, New Jersey proclamation. Author and educator Frances Chiu will read the Cherry Hill, New Jersey proclamation. Author, producer, and director Ann Druyan will read a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Thomas Paine Day Resolution.
The 2023 June 8th Thomas Paine Day will be enhanced when more proclamations are written and approved by mayors, governors, and city councils. Instructions on how to write a Thomas Paine Day proclamation will be provided by Margaret Downey, the president of TPMA.
Representative Jamie Raskin will share updates on the Congressional front along with a heartfelt welcome.
In September 2022, Representative Victoria Spartz became a co-lead of House Bill 6720 (a Congressional Bill to endorse a Washington, D.C. monument to honor Thomas Paine). She will also deliver a welcome address and convey why she supports a monument to Thomas Paine.
The keynote speaker is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of London Greg Claeys. His speech “Thomas Paine’s Collected Works: A New Edition,” will provide an update about efforts to uncover previously unattributed Paine writings.
Providing the celebratory music are selections from a new musical The Crossing. The play places Thomas Paine and his American Crisis front and center. The Crossing was written by Jason Huza and John Allen Watts. Three songs from the play will be featured: “These Are The Days” is a song that opens and closes The Crossing; “On The Wheel of Time” is a duet sung by the characters Elizabeth and Abigail; and “Rights Intrinsic” showcases Thomas Paine’s vision for a new world.
