Dear Readers,

Happy birthday to us.

We all have heard Thomas Jefferson's words that were enshrined into history on July 4, 1776 when we adopted the Declaration of Independence: “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another ...”

In our school days, and in popular culture, we all have heard about battles between the British regular soldiers and the volunteer militias at Lexington and Concord. We know all about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, the Adams boys, Sam and John and Ben Franklin, and old fat newspaper guys like me.

Here in Boothbay, we celebrate the nation's birthday with fireworks, cookouts, watermelon, sweet treats and adult beverages.

But here, on this very ground, in our little harbor, the years of the middle 1770s found Boothbay involved in a very real international armed conflict.

Just a few years after sending a 1772 petition to the British Government calling themselves “loyal and affectionate subjects to the best of Kings,” they changed their minds. And they took a stand to oppose the most powerful nation on earth.

Why did they change their minds? The history books tell us this little harbor was no stranger to British warships. But in 1775, the British navy sailed into the harbor and burned a house and stole a hundred sheep.

In May 1775, the town fathers resolved to store “supplies” in the woods and required folks to make sure their muskets were in good repair. But, they also warned the residents not to take action unless the British landed and annoyed the citizens.

In July 1775, a Boothbay man named Edward Emerson seized five British vessels that were “collecting provisions on shore.” His haul included a 70-ton schooner carrying cannon balls and cannon shells filled with scrap iron.

In October, 1775, the British navy sailed into Portland, refused a plea for mercy and opened fire, burning down the city.

In 1777, the Brits sailed into the harbor, burned four vessels at Damariscove Island, captured another and stole livestock.

Despite the town's declaration to oppose the British navy, a local man was accused of trading with them and jailed for his actions.

The bottom line is, right here, in this little harbor, now filled with smiling natives, summer folk and tourists, Boothbay residents were directly involved in the bitter struggle for independence. They were not making idle boasts when they opposed the British crown.

As we read the Declaration of Independence we are struck by the closing phrase: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

For the men and women seeking out a living on this bit of rocky coast, opposition to the British government was more than just a few high sounding words on a dusty parchment.

In opposing the British, they knew that at any hour, a fleet of warships could sail out of the fog into their beautiful harbor and destroy their homes and families.

Despite this very real threat, they still acted. Their actions, and those of others, led to the creation of a new nation.

Each year, we celebrate the birth of that new nation on July 4.

Happy birthday, USA.