Remembering: Nathan Hale's One Life to Give

Born June 6, 1755, in Coventry, Connecticut, Nathan Hale was a child prodigy. At the age of thirteen he began attending Yale, and at eighteen graduated with first honors. He then became a teacher, teaching in several villages.

Then in 1775 the war began and he joined a Connecticut militia, where he was elected first lieutenant. Hale missed out on the siege of Boston, and feeling like he was missing out on the war, joined the 7th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Army.

As the Army moved to keep the British from taking New York City, General Washington asked for volunteers to spy behind enemy lines, on September 8, 1776. Hale was the only volunteer. Whilst behind enemy lines, Hale was recognized by a British loyalist.

On September 22, 1776, twenty-one year old Nathan Hale was hung as an illegal combatant. As he was led to the gallows he gave an eloquent speech, during which he famously said, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country". His memory has been used to inspire every generation since, with a fervor of patriotism.