As the year grows closer to July of 2026 and we recognize that we have remained a country of democracy and freedom from the oppression of an intolerant king, we can reflect on the events that led to our declaring independence from England in 1776.

For several years prior to our signed affidavit that was taken to England demanding our freedom from the British Empire, the fires grew brighter, and the heat from that flame started a collective anger amongst many in the American colonies. The overtaxation, the seizing of property by the crown and even the enslavement of men on the high seas, forced into service with the British Navy on many shakedown cruises. The disgruntlement turned to violence and protest in the city of Boston where in the year prior Tea was dumped from British ships into the harbor to complain about the taxes placed upon the beverage’s contents. Other protests took groups of Bostonians into the streets where the local British Army Garrison took to shooting the rioters, it was called the Boston Massacre.

As 1775 changed from the snowy hills into the lush grass covered fields outside of Boston, in places like Concord and Lexington, the colonists had finally had enough. After the writings of several rebellious authors in the colonies had fueled the sentiment for freedom and fanned scents of rebellion to the British, at a small bridge in a quiet hamlet along a winding shallow river, muskets were raised in anger against a small sized patrol of Redcoats (British Soldiers). As the shots rang out, it was coined as the Shot Heard Round the World.

Days before this collision of Army against Minuteman (American Militia) a prediction was made of the coming of the British by land or by sea. Paul Revere and several accomplices gave advanced warning to the Americans that the eventual confrontation was to be sooner than later. The British were repelled at Concord Bridge and again on Lexington Green in a nearby village, and this began the start of the revolution against the forces of King George III. Not to be outdone by the courageous men of Massachusetts, in our very own colony of New York rebellious groups took the British to task at places like Saratoga, and Ticonderoga.

Great men earned a place on the wall of American Heroes like George Washington the father of our country. He could not have had such success without thinkers and authors like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Many other statesmen would add their names and signatures to the document sent to release us from British control and infuriate a sitting king, who spared no expense to regain control of the colonies.

There are names also of great military statisticians like William Prescot, General Kosciusko and Lafayette. The Green Mountain boys of Vermont, under command by Ethan Allen, engaged the Redcoats across New York and their home colony. Another strong military leader that took to the thickest of forest and the boggiest of swamps, Francis Marion led a rag tag but strong group of soldiers through the thicket to outrun and escape the observance of the Redcoats.

Using Guerrilla tactics of hit and run, and unconventional battle styles like shooting from cover earned him the name of “Swamp Fox” from his adversaries. As the skirmish turned into a real war, and we then realized our sovereignty as our own nation, the battles grew fiercer, and the tide would sway back and forth through the coming years.

The one thing that remained steadfast was our forefathers desire for independence and its eventual success in gaining that achievement. It’s uncertain if any of it would have achieved victory over the British and the most despicable King George III, had it not been for the patriots to America before there was one. We could go on record stating that without the year before our actual independence we might not have enjoyed a 250th anniversary of said freedom.

Use that freedom to have the safest and most enjoyable Fourth of July. And remember just what events occurred and who has delivered our privileges to remain free, to be the control of our government not the ones controlled, with the ability to speak our minds in a civil manner, and live as we decide.

From those early days in Boston to the bravery on Lexington Green, we owe heartfelt thanks to our heroes of this America, whether it was one from a nation being born to a sandy atoll in the pacific, or in the mountains of Afghanistan. They brought you Freedom or ensured you still have it. To claim our independence year after year is the greatest moment in American history. New heroes will be added to the wall after each time our liberty is threatened. In their honor we will each year proclaim our freedom on July 4, Independence Day.

Kirk L. Miller is past Commander 2023-24 of the Chautauqua County American Legion, 8th District Department of New York.