Norris vandenBerg

Nathan Hale was arrested as a spy for the Colonials in a Manhattan tavern by British Major Robert Rogers of the Queen’s Rangers. Physical evidence of Hale’s espionage was found on his person. On the morning of September 22, 1776, he was marched to the Park of Artillery (66th street and Third avenue) and hanged. While there are several interpretations of his final words, he is famously remembered as having said, “I only regret that I have but one life to give to my country.”

On this day in 1787, the final meeting of the Constitutional Convention was held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Forty two of the fifty five delegates signed the historic document. Congress then sent printed copies to each of the state legislatures for ratification.

One of the last significant actions in the Battle of New York was the conflict at Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776. Washington, with 1800, men was attacked by a British force of 5000. As the Colonials began an orderly retreat, the British General had his bugler sound a fox hunting call signifying retreat. This infuriated the Americans who reorganized and drove the British back giving Washington his first land battle victory.