Spain’s Involvement in the American Revolution

This joint program of the Embassy of Spain and the National Museum of American History explores various aspects of the global nature of the American Revolution, focusing particularly on the involvement of Spain in the war.

Most Americans are unaware that the American Revolution, which led to their nation’s freedom, was far more than a rebellion of British colonies against their King. It became a global war in which the American rebels gained support from other major nations, most notably Spain and France.

This joint program of the Embassy of Spain and the National Museum of American History starts in the morning with a curator’s tour of the exhibition entitled The American Revolution: A World War at the National Museum of American History.

The main program begins in the late afternoon with a curator’s tour of the exhibition Recovered Memories: Spain and the Support for the American Revolution at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain, followed by a panel discussion among José Manuel Guerrero Acosta, Thomas Chavez, Eduardo Garrigues, Larrie Ferreiro, and David K. Allison, moderated by Guillermo Fesser, about Spain’s involvement in the American Revolution and its significance in the later histories of both Spain and the United States.

The evening concludes with a reception at the Cultural Center. Attendees will have an opportunity to preview and purchase a new book published by Smithsonian books entitled The American Revolution: a World War.

Program

• 10 am: Curator’s tour of the exhibition The American Revolution: A World War at the National Museum of American History.
• 5:30 pm: Curator’s tour of the exhibition Recovered Memories: Spain and the Support for the American Revolution at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain.
• 6:45 pm: Panel discussion of Spain’s involvement in the American Revolution.