Published anonymously on January 10, 1776, Common Sense by Thomas Paine became a revolutionary force among the American colonists. Within just three months, an astounding 120,000 copies spread throughout the colonies, which were home to only four million free inhabitants, making it the best-selling book of its time in 18th-century America. Its total sales reached an impressive 500,000 copies across both America and Europe. This powerful monograph inspired many, including influential leaders like George Washington and John Adams, to advocate for political independence from Great Britain, firmly arguing against any compromise that fell short of complete autonomy.