First published on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine&rsquo;s pamphlet&nbsp;<i>Common Sense</i>&nbsp;was an immediate sensation. In clear simple language it explained to the people of the Thirteen Colonies why they needed to fight for independence from Great Britain.<br /><br /><i>Common Sense</i>&nbsp;has been called &quot;the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era.&quot;