Freethinkers Day

Every year January 29, known as Freethinkers Day, is a day honoring liberals and those in the Enlightenment movement. Extremely influential people in movements especially the American and British revolutions. At the forefront of the movement was known as Thomas Paine, born on January 29, 1737, an important liberal. Freethinkers Day celebrates Thomas Paine's birthday.

Thomas Paine (January 29, 1737 - June 8, 1809) was an English-American philosopher, revolutionary, political activist, classical liberal, and prominent figure in the Enlightenment movement. He was born in Thetford, England and immigrated to the United States during the outbreak of the American Revolution. He advocated the independence of the American colonies from the British Empire, and the ideas and arguments for this independence were tempered by Paine and expressed in Common Sense (Common Sense, 1776).

When it was first published, 120,000 copies of Common Sense sold out within the first three months. All proceeds from Paine donated to George Washington's revolutionary army. John Adams commented on the great influence of Common Sense that the Sword of Washington would have been raised in vain without the pen of the Common Sense author.

Paine also had a great influence on the French Revolution. He wrote Rights of Man (Human Rights, 1791) in support of the cause of the French Revolution. Although he could not speak French, he was elected to the French National Assembly in 1792.

Though fervently pro-revolutionary, Paine was arrested in Paris and imprisoned in December 1793 for opposing the policies of extremists such as Robespierre. He was released from prison in 1794. He became known for his book The Age of Reason, 1793-94, which advocated for reason and freedom of thought, and criticized religious systems that general speak and the doctrine of Christianity in particular. While in France, he also wrote a book entitled Agrarian Justice (Land Justice, 1795), which discussed the origin of wealth and introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income.

Thomas Paine died in 1809, aged 72, in New York. When he died, his funeral was only attended by 6 people, because he was ostracized for attacking God's dogma. Thomas Paine has a great influence on the style and theory of many American celebrities such as Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington... Many works have been built to commemorate him such as the Thomas Paine Radio and the Thomas Paine Museum in New York. Rochelle, New York, the statue was cast and erected at King Street, Thetford - England, as well as at Morristown, Bordentown, New Jersey - USA and Parc Montsouris, Paris - France.

How to observe Freethinkers Day

To celebrate freethinkers’ day, you are encouraged to learn more about other freethinkers. Besides, you are also encouraged to read Thomas Paine's Common Sense to improve your understanding of this character. Alternatively, bring your friends to visit Thomas Paine memorials like the Thomas Paine Museum in New Rochelle, New York. Share your Freethinkers Day on social media with the hashtag #FreethinkersDay.