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American Revolution began 249 years ago: Here are 5 overlooked tourist spots on fight for independence

Published

2 months ago

April 23, 2024

The grand events and oft-told tales of the American Revolution are easy to find among sprawling reverent battlefields and national parks.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia, Independence Hall in Pennsylvania, and Minuteman National Historical Park in Massachusetts, where the American rebellion exploded into deadly revolution 249 years ago today, April 19, 1775, top any list of highlights in the nation’s fight for independence.

But historical secrets, haunting reminders and the lingering traces of legend help tell a complete story of any event, even one as long and deeply chronicled as the American Revolution.

MEET THE AMERICAN WHO NEVER FLINCHED IN THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE, ABIGAIL ADAMS

Here are 5 often overlooked locations that helped pave the way for American independence.

1. Bayley-Hazen Military Road, Vermont

Colonial troops invaded Quebec, Canada in the first winter of the American Revolution, with Benedict Arnold among its leaders.

Hundreds of his men died on the rough journey through the frozen New England wilderness.

A new road was needed to bring men and supplies to Canada – a mission that ultimately failed.

The Bayley Hazen Road in Vermont was conceived to deliver supplies to American troops fighting in Quebec in the American Revolution. It was never completed. Remnants of the road today offer haunting reminders of the fight for American independence. Sign in Peacham, Vermont. (Kindra Clineff/Alamy Stock Photo)

“Proposed and started in 1776 by Colonel Jacob Bayley, continued in 1779 and later abandoned by General Moses Hazen, the road — and what remains of it — extends from Wells River in a northwesterly direction to what is now known as Hazen’s Notch,” reports the website CrossVermont.org.

“Small details, historical markers, grave sites and monuments that still recall the events of long ago may escape the eye when barreling along in a car.”

The warpath carves a lane through some of the most rural parts of the Lower 48 states. It is best explored by bicycle, the website adds.

“Small details, historical markers, grave sites and monuments that still recall the events of long ago may escape the eye when barreling along in a car but will not be missed by bike.”

2. French Cemetery, Yorktown, Virginia

Fifty unknown soldiers of France who gave their lives for the cause of American liberté are buried near this Yorktown battlefield.

Among other lessons, the graves are reminders of 50 French mothers — 50 French families — who never knew the fate of their son, father or brother when he shipped overseas to fight the British in North America.

This is the French Cemetery where 50 French soldiers who lost their lives in the Siege of Yorktown, 1781, are buried. Colonial National Historical Park, Historical Triangle, Virginia. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The 50 unknowns represent the 8,000-10,000 Frenchmen who fought at Yorktown, the final American victory in the war that forged the new United States.

Those thousands of men, supported by 29 French warships, and paired with years of American resolve, forced the British to surrender and admit defeat at Yorktown in October 1781.

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Several other historical markers are within walking distance, including those for French Artillery Park and Washington’s headquarters, and a tribute to the leading French military officer in Virginia, Comte de Rochambeau.

3. Nathan Hale execution site, Manhattan, New York

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” Hale, just 21, reportedly uttered with stiff lip as he was hanged by the British for treason on Sept. 22, 1776 in Manhattan.

Dense urban development paved over the actual site of Hale’s death, but a bronze plaque visible from the sidewalk offers the only reminder of this seminal moment in patriotic defiance.

It’s located on Third Avenue, between East 65th and East 66th Streets, on the Upper East Side.

American patriot Nathan Hale reportedly uttered, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” before the captured spy was hanged by the British on Sept. 22, 1776 in Manhattan. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

Little more than a photo-op stop, it offers an opportunity to explore some of the other interesting Revolutionary War sites in Manhattan — which was occupied by the British throughout most of the war.

Those interesting sites include the Alexander Hamilton Grange, a farmhouse in the middle of the city’s concrete caverns that the Founding Father built just before he was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

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Also, Fraunces Tavern is where George Washington delivered his farewell speech to his officers after the British final left New York City.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, DECEMBER 4, 1783, WASHINGTON BIDS FAREWELL TO HIS TROOPS AT FRAUNCES TAVERN IN NYC

It’s a real tavern today that doubles as a museum of early American history.

4. Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, Brooklyn, New York

This powerful monument in a verdant park offers chilling testimony that American independence was purchased by patriots at the price of hideous human suffering.

The 150-foot-tall Doric column at Fort Greene Park towers over the footprint of a colonial garrison of the American Revolution.

The Prison Ship Martyrs Monument in Brooklyn was dedicated on Nov. 14, 1908 in a ceremony attended by President William Howard Taft. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

It’s dedicated to the estimated 11,500 American soldiers, sailors and privateers who died in hellish conditions aboard British prison ships on the nearby East River during the fight for nationhood.

A number of these patriots are buried in a crypt beneath the monument — the identities of many known only to God.

MEET THE AMERICAN WHO ROWED WASHINGTON ACROSS THE DELAWARE ON CHRISTMAS: SAILOR-SOLDIER JOHN GLOVER

“This is hallowed ground,” Brooklyn native and self-professed patriot Eddie Desmond told Fox News Digital.

“This is America’s original tomb of the unknown soldiers.”

5. Swamp Fox statue/Marion County Museum

Francis Marion, the legendary “Swamp Fox” of South Carolina, has fueled legend and tributes for nearly 250 years.

Most notably in recent times, he’s among the inspirations for the movie “The Patriot.” Mel Gibson plays the role of a colonial American father who fights the British from the misty swamps of the American south.

Illustration of Francis Marion (1730s-1795), an American military officer nicknamed the Swamp Fox, seated, greets a British officer, mid-to-late 18th century. (Stock Montage/Getty Images)

“Using tactics he learned from the Cherokee during his time as a soldier in the French and Indian War 20 years prior, Marion and his men outwitted countless British troops right from the swamps along the Pee Dee and Santee Rivers,” reports the website of the Pee Dee Tourism Commission.

The best place to get a picture of the man behind the legend is at the museum of the South Carolina county that bears his name.

The Marion County Museum includes a permanent exhibit of the Swamp Fox, while the highlight of a visit for many is a photo with the nearby larger-than-life statue of the American war hero.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.

Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.

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Trump celebrates 78th birthday with massive MAGA cake, fan club members in Florida

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2024

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Former President Donald Trump celebrated his 78th birthday by hosting a political rally with members of his fan club in Florida.

Trump appeared at an event celebrating his birthday in West Palm Beach with members of Club 47.

“This is the biggest birthday party I’ve ever had by far,” Trump said of the event.

TRUMP VOWS TO BUILD ISRAEL-STYLE ‘GREAT IRON DOME’ OVER US IF RE-ELECTED: ‘MADE IN AMERICA’

Former President Donald Trump stands near a birthday cake given to him before he spoke to members of the Club 47 group at th Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The former president was presented with a Make America Great Again-themed birthday cake.

Trump revisited some of his biggest hits from the campaign trail, speaking at length about his belief that President Biden is mentally incompetent to hold office.

“Our country is being destroyed by incompetent people,” Trump told the crowd. “All presidents should have aptitude tests.”

BIDEN LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE ON STAR-STUDDED HOLLYWOOD FUNDRAISER AFTER TRUMP’S MASSIVE CASH HAUL IN BLUE STATE

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at his birthday celebration, hosted by Club 47, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Trump spoke at length about his doubts that President Biden has the mental capacity to continue holding office. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Club 47 is based in Palm Beach County and is intended to keep local Trump supporters engaged with the campaign.

The club sold out of its approximately 5,000 tickets, which were priced at $35 a piece. More exclusive seats near the stage were priced at $60.

Trump greets supporters from Club 47 after speaking at his birthday celebration. The club seeks to keep Trump supporters in Palm Beach County connected and engaged with the campaign. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

During the event, Trump promised to build a “great” Iron Dome for the U.S. during his birthday rally, saying that it would be “made in America.”

“By next term we will build a great Iron Dome over our country,” Trump said about the idea, which he attributed to former President Ronald Reagan. “We deserve a dome. We deserve it all, made state of the art.

“It’s a missile defense shield, and it’ll all be made in America,” he said. “Jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

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Kentucky State Police find body of infant ‘consistent’ with baby missing for a month, 5 arrested

Published

10 hours ago

June 15, 2024

Press Room

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) says it has located an infant’s body consistent with 8-month-old Miya Tucker Rudd, who was last seen by family in May.

Police said the decomposed body was found inside the family’s home hidden in a “concealed manner” around 1:15 p.m. on Friday, June 14.

After investigators process the scene, the baby will be taken by the Ohio County Coroner’s Office and transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiners Office in Louisville, authorities said.

The investigation is ongoing by KSP, Ohio County Coroner’s Officer and Kentucky Medical Examiners Office.

MISSING KENTUCKY BABY: 5 NOW ARRESTED, INCLUDING PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS

Missing Miya Tucker Rudd and her parents and grandparents, right. (Daviess County Jail and Ohio County Jail)

The child was first declared missing by Kentucky State Police earlier this month after the agency said it conducted a search warrant and welfare check at the family’s home, but the infant was not there.

Police said the child had not been seen by other family members since May.

The family’s home is in Reynolds Station, Kentucky, which is about 90 miles southwest of Louisville.

Police said that Miya Tucker was last believed to be in the care of her parents, 29-year-old Tesla Tucker and 30-year-old Cage C. Rudd, but could not be located during a welfare check. (Kentucky State Police)

The welfare check on the baby came after the girl’s mother, Tesla Tucker, 29, and her father, Cage C. Rudd, 30, were arrested at a motel in Owensboro on Wednesday with no information on the baby’s whereabouts.

The parents were in possession of a large amount of drugs, including fentanyl, a police spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

MISSING KENTUCKY BABY SPARKS FRANTIC SEARCH, PARENTS ARRESTED IN MOTEL WITH DRUG STASH

“[We] tried to interview the parents, and they’re not being very cooperative with our investigation on this,” Trooper Corey King of the Kentucky State Police told Fox News Digital Friday.

They were both charged with first-degree trafficking in controlled substance (greater than 2 grams – methamphetamine), trafficking of illegal drugs, trafficking marijuana, first-degree child abuse, abandonment of a minor and engaging in organized crime and possession of paraphernalia.

The child’s parents were allegedly found in a hotel with large amounts of drugs — including fentanyl. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection )

Miya’s grandfather, Ricky Smith, who stayed with the baby and her parents, allegedly used the home as a base for trafficking, and a variety of drugs were found at the home during a search.

He has been charged with drug crimes, child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Miya’s grandmother, Billie J. Smith, was arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree domestic violence assault after police discovered she had an outstanding warrant in Daviess County from October 2023, according to WFIE.

Timothy Roach was charged with second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree prescription controlled substance not in a proper container. (Daviess County Jail)

As police entered Smith’s home, officers said they saw 37-year-old Timothy Roach throw unprescribed Suboxone under his vehicle.

He was charged with second-degree possession of a controlled substance and first-degree prescription controlled substance not in a proper container, WBKO reports.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call 270-826-3312.

Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.

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Georgia man accused of attacking pregnant woman is repeat offender in Atlanta area: police

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2024

Press Room

A Georgia man allegedly seen attacking a pregnant woman at an Atlanta pizzeria has been arrested, authorities said this week.

Willie Grace, 52, who has a long criminal history, was taken into police custody on Monday and had been a negative presence at Fellini’s Pizza for years, the manager told Fox Atlanta. On Friday, officers responded to the pizza shop where the manager said a man entered and refused to leave.

TRUMP’S APPEAL TO DISQUALIFY FANI WILLIS FROM GA CASE GETS OCTOBER HEARING DATE

Willie Grace, 52, allegedly attacked a pregnant woman outside an Atlanta pizza shop last week. (FOX Atlanta; Fulton County jail)

The man appeared to swing at a pregnant woman in the parking lot before re-entering the business and refusing to leave, police said. The suspect became upset and hit the glass door before fleeing the area, authorities said.

Caitlin Markli, the general manager of the restaurant, said Grace has appeared in the pizza shop before.

“This is actually the second time he’s broken the glass door in the same exact spot,” Markli said. “Something’s got to be done for the people in the neighborhoods and the businesses around here because it’s ridiculous.”

REP JORDAN URGES CONGRESS TO ‘DEFUND LAWFARE ACTIVITIES’ OF TRUMP PROSECUTORS

Willie Grace spotted on surveillance video at a pizza shop in Atlanta. (Fox Atlanta)

“His thing is hitting women … defecating in the parking lot, hurting our property, open drug use,” Markli added. “We’ve had issues with him over the years but it’s gotten worse.”

Grace has multiple arrests in Atlanta, police said, without disclosing his past alleged crimes. Markli said attempts have been made over the years to keep him off the premises.

“I’ve been trying to get a criminal trespass on him for years, but they have to be present when the police arrive for them to do that,” she said. “It does make the employees feel unsafe.”