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On this day in history, July 4, 1802, the U.S. Military Academy opens at West Point
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is an academy of higher education in which commissioned officers are trained as leaders for the United States Army.
And on this day in history, July 4, 1802, the U.S. Military Academy first opened in West Point, New York.
Typically, some 1,200 prospective cadets are admitted each year, according to Britannica. West Point itself announced at the end of June this year in a media release that over 1,230 U.S. citizens and 16 international students would be reporting to the academy on July 1 to join West Point’s Class of 2028.
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The idea for an American military school came from Gen. Henry Knox in 1776.
Gen. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton quickly backed the idea, according to Britannica.
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point opened on July 4, 1802, in the Hudson Valley of New York. (Prisma/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Revolutionary War brought attention to the ongoing need for American youth to be developed and trained to be military leaders.
At the time, however, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson did not see eye to eye with Washington and Hamilton in regard to having an institution of higher education dedicated to the training of officers for the Army, according to West Point.
It wasn’t until Jefferson became president of the United States that he recognized that defending the republic against potential invasion was of prime importance.
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He signed legislation to establish the U.S. Military Academy on March 16, 1802, according to Britannica.
The first class of five officers and 10 cadets would enroll in the school for the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
Cadets at West Point are trained to be military leaders while also attaining a college education. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point officially opened as an apprentice school for military engineers, according to Britannica.
Students would engage not only in physical training but also study to become engineer officers.
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The location of West Point has been occupied by troops since 1778 — considered the most strategic location in America during the American Revolution by Washington himself, according to West Point.
U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salutes during the graduation ceremony at West Point, New York, on May 21, 2022. (Reuters/David Dee Delgado)
The location of the academy held great significance, as the Hudson River Valley was key territory to possess during the Revolutionary War.
Washington established his headquarters on the land in 1779, shortly before Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold attempted to hand it to the British, according to Britannica.
After the failed attempt, Washington made sure that West Point was never seized.
Today, fewer than 10% of applicants are typically accepted to the academy with a total enrollment of roughly 4,400, according to Britannica.
Roughly 1,200 young people are accepted each year into U.S. Military Academy at West Point. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
Those eligible for academy acceptance must be at least 17 years old, but no older than 23.
They must also be U.S. citizens, not married, not pregnant and not legally responsible for child support, according to West Point.
“Since its founding over two centuries ago, the military academy has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military and moral-ethical — a four-year process called the ‘West Point Experience,’” according to the academy’s website.
“Specific developmental goals are addressed through several fully coordinated and integrated programs.”
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, circa 1915. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The site also explains, “A challenging academic program that offers 37 majors provides a balanced education in the arts and sciences. All cadets receive a Bachelor of Science degree, which is designed specifically to meet the intellectual requirements of a commissioned officer in today’s Army.”
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The motto of the U.S. Military Academy is “Duty, Honor, Country” — “a striking expression of West Point’s time-honored ideals,” according to West Point itself.
That motto is embedded in the academy’s coat of arms.
Notes the academy, “A favorite expression at West Point is that ‘much of the history we teach was made by people we taught.’”
It continues, “Great leaders such as Grant and Lee, Pershing and MacArthur, Eisenhower and Patton, Westmoreland and Schwarzkopf are among the more than 60,000 graduates of the military academy. Countless others have served society in the fields of medicine, law, business, politics, and science following their careers in uniform.”
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A man was shot by police Friday after grabbing a sword and swinging it at officers during a traffic stop, according to the Calais Police Department.
Calais Police Officer Charles Ball and Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Taylor Leblanc stopped Abinadi White, 35, at the intersection of Main and North streets, according to a press release.
When White was told he was under arrest, he reportedly refused to comply. Officers tried to use a Taser but were unsuccessful, and when they tried to physically take him into custody he grabbed a sword and swung it at them. Both officers fired their weapons.
White was taken to Calais Regional Hospital and later airlifted to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he was stabilized.
Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure when deadly force is used. The Maine Attorney General’s Office will investigate the use of deadly force.
White faces charges including criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, failure to submit to arrest and operating after suspension, police said.
The number of opioid-related overdose fatalities fell below 1,000 for the first time in more than a decade in 2025, state health officials said Friday, marking a significant improvement since Massachusetts broke a devastating record a few years ago.
There were 978 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts residents last year, the Department of Public Health said. That represents a nearly 27% decrease over the 1,336 deaths in 2024, which also saw a sharp drop in fatal overdoses.
DPH says the declining trend mirrors data unfolding nationally.
“This progress, experienced by families across the Commonwealth as years of extra joy and life, is the result of a comprehensive and collaborative public health response that has prioritized evidence-based care, community partnership, and compassion,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said. “Data show us that providing access to housing, harm reduction, treatment options, and supportive peer communities works to prevent overdose — and the Commonwealth will continue its commitment to supporting and expanding access to these tools and services.”
A 2024 law expanded access to overdose-reversal drugs like naloxone, installed liability protections for providers and organizations offering drug checking services, and established licensure for recovery coaches. The law did not include a Senate-backed provision to legalize supervised injection sites, and proposals to do so this session are before the House and Senate Ways and Means committees.
Overdose deaths, which claimed more 2,000 lives annually between 2016 and 2023, reached a record high of 2,364 in 2022. The last time Massachusetts recorded less than 1,000 overdose fatalities was in 2013, when the opioid epidemic claimed the lives of 992 Bay Staters.
“While a 27 percent decrease in opioid overdose deaths is encouraging and reflects the impact of sustained investments in prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support, we must never lose sight of the fact that behind every data point is a person — a loved one, a family member, a friend, a neighbor,” Deirdre Calvert, director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, saidDPH said it is still analyzing the latest data and will release more insights later this summer about how the decrease is reflected across Massachusetts communities.
In its recent report on overdoses in 2024, DPH offered three hypotheses for that year’s decrease, including a potentially safer street drug supply, fewer people at risk of overdoses, and expanded overdose prevention resources and services. DPH says overdose deaths rose from 2013 to 2022 due to the “increasing and erratic fentanyl concentrations in the drug supply.”
But xylazine, a sedative approved for veterinary use, has become increasingly common in the state’s drug supply between 2020 and 2024.
“One hypothesis is that using drugs containing xylazine may protect from fatal overdose by increasing the length of time that people are sedated after using, therefore decreasing the total number of use events,” the report says. “Another hypothesis is that due to the sedative effects of xylazine, suppliers may reduce the amount of fentanyl in their product.”
Alison Kuznitz is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro Massachusetts. Reach her at akuznitz@stateaffairs.com.
New Hampshire
Man From Weare Arrested On Stalking Charge After Gas Station Incident: Concord Police Log
CONCORD, NH — Kyle G. Sanders, born in 1988, of Manchester, was arrested at 11:03 a.m. on May 27 on a warrant. He was arrested at police headquarters.
Sean P. Lambert, born in 1992, of Concord, was arrested at 2:13 a.m. on May 25 on a bench warrant following an investigation or incident at the Durgin Block Garage at 17 School St.
Matthew C. Milne, born in 1980, of Concord, was arrested at 7:44 p.m. on May 24 on theft by unauthorized taking a felony due to two prior convictions, and willful concealment following an investigation or incident at the Speedway at 175 N. Main St.
Kristen L. Macrae, born in 1991, of Pittsfield, was arrested at 8:23 p.m. on May 23 on three warrants. She was arrested following an investigation or incident on Ferry Street.
Jeremiah J. Martel, born in 1978, of Weare, was arrested on a stalking charge at 7:01 p.m. on May 22 following an investigation or incident at the Shell gas station at 333 Loudon Road.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Mark D. Yeskis, born in 1972, of Concord, was arrested at 7:52 p.m. on May 12 on criminal trespass and breach of bail charges. He was arrested following an investigation or incident at the Speedway gas station at 175 N. Main St.
Dakota Austin Marsh, born in 1994, of Concord, was arrested at 10:01 a.m. on May 12 on camping restricted and generic city ordinance violations following an investigation or incident on Pleasant Street Extension.
Dylan Joshua Lawler, born in 2001, of Deering, received a summons at 9:13 a.m. on May 12 on a conduct after an accident charge following an investigation or incident on Washington Street.
Dain Austin Blackadar Jr., born in 1990, of Concord, was arrested at 1:54 a.m. on May 12 on a bench warrant and two warrants. Also arrested was John L. Taylor, born in 1992, of Concord, on a warrant. They were both arrested following an investigation or incident on Ferry Street.
Matthew P. Lyons, born in 1969, of Concord, was arrested at 12:42 a.m. on May 12 on simple assault, domestic violence-simple assault, and criminal mischief charges. He was arrested following an investigation or incident on Alton Woods Drive.
Do you have a news tip? Email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube or Rumble channels. Patch in New Hampshire is now in 217 communities — and expanding every day. Also, follow Patch on Google Discover.
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