September 22, 2005

"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Tradition has it that, with these words, patriot Nathan Hale was hanged by the British as a spy during the Revolutionary War. Hale had volunteered to go undercover on an intelligence-gathering mission in Long Island, behind enemy lines. After gathering the information, Hale was captured by the British as he attempted to return to his regiment. British General Sir William Howe ordered him hanged the following day, September 22, 1776.