In 1776, America was torn: between loyalty to the British Crown, and its own desire for independence. 250 years later, digitized eyewitness accounts provide insights into daily life during the War of Independence for the first time. Newly transcribed pension claims from the United States’ National Archives bring to life the experiences of people during the American War of Independence, between 1775 and 1783. They recount how they fought, suffered, and persevered despite great hardships - inspired by the words of the Founding Fathers and under the leadership of George Washington, who, as commander-in-chief, led the American troops to victory over the British. When signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the stakes could not have been higher: Had the uprising failed, every soldier and every delegate would have faced charges of treason and death.