The Daughter Has Become an Author

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.This month in revolutionary history: Nathan Hale
June 1st, 2011 2:17 pm ET .
Keighan Chapman Vermont American History Examiner.Subscribe ...View all of Keighan's articlesPrintEmailShare on FacebookShare on Twitter.Do you like this article?
History is made everyday. How we remember history changes as our social values and view change to reflect newer understandings. At this time, June 2011, we should remember the contributions of a 21 year old Patriot named Nathan Hale. He was educated at Yale, lived in Connecticut, and died in New York. He is perhaps most well known for his parting words, but before we explore the culminating events of his life, lets examine the experiences that led to Nathan Hale becoming a Patriot.

Nathan Hale was born in Coventry Connecticut on June sixth of 1755. He was the sixth child of Richard Hale, a farmer from Newbury, Mass. When Nathan Hale was 18 he graduated from Yale College, and began a career as a public school teacher. In 1774 he accepted his appointment to the Union Grammar School in New London Connecticut.

As the years pressed on, the political climate began to change. He was commissioned to the into the Continental Army as a Lieutenant in 1775 and was quickly promoted to Captain a year later. In 1776, George Washington crafted a plan to infiltrate the British held lands of New York. This mission peaked the interest of Nathan Hale, causing him to undertake this secret advance on New York. He disguised himself as a Dutch schoolteacher, and successfully made it in to British territory. While in New York, he uncovered many British military plans. The night before we was due to return to Connecticut, he was caught. On September 21, 1776, Hale was arrested by British soldiers. He was presented before British General William Howe, at which time, Hale admitted his position as a an American officer. For this treasonous offense, Howe called for Hale's hanging the following morning. As Hale climbed the steps of the gallows, he was quoted as saying "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

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In June of 1755, Nathan Hale made is debut, and 256 years later, we remember the achievement this young man made. It was though love of country and love of liberty that Nathan Hale became an American Patriot.


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