250 Years Ago...

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In the summer of 1775, after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Boston remained the focal point of the tensions between Great Britain and the Colonies. The Patriots had gained confidence in their confrontations with the English army. Britain thought this was an annoying uprising that had to be squelched.

George Washington officially took command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 3rd, while the siege of Boston was underway. This appointment was crucial in unifying the colonial forces, which had previously been comprised mainly of disparate militias. He began the task of transforming them into a disciplined and organized army. This ultimately resulted in the formation of a military training site at West Point.

On July 5th, the Continental Congress adopted the Olive Branch Petition, a final attempt at reconciliation with King George III. This document, primarily drafted by John Dickinson, expressed the colonists' desire for peace and affirmed their loyalty to the British Crown, while also seeking a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict. However, King George III refused to receive the petition, which ultimately dashed hopes for a peaceful settlement and further pushed the colonies towards independence.

On July 6th, the Continental Congress issued the "Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms," which justified the colonies' decision to take up arms against British rule. This declaration outlined the reasons for the colonists' resistance and affirmed their determination to defend their rights and liberties.

Great Britain was the world’s most powerful country in 1775. The rebellion by their colony across the Atlantic Ocean was an irritating distraction that had to be put down. The Patriots, however, believed in their cause and were not going away. The tensions between the two sides would continue to increase in the coming months during 1775.