The Revolution became the main source of the non-denominational " American civil religion " that has shaped patriotism , and the memory and meaning of the nation 's birth ever since . Specific battles are not central ( as they are for the Civil War ) but rather certain events and people have been celebrated as icons of certain virtues ( or vices ) . The American Revolution is remembered for its Moses-like leader ( George Washington ) , its prophets ( Thomas Jefferson , Thomas Paine ) , disciples ( Alexander Hamilton , James Madison ) and martyrs ( Boston Massacre , Crispus Attucks , Nathan Hale ) , as well as its devils ( Benedict Arnold ) , holy sites ( Valley Forge , Bunker Hill ) , rituals ( Boston Tea Party ) , holy symbol ( the new flag ) , sacred holidays ( Independence Day ) , and holy scriptures whose every sentence is carefully studied and applied ( The Declaration of Independence , the Constitution and the Bill of Rights )
Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre
Commemoration of the American Revolution