Happy Patriot’s day!
Many people are not aware of this celebration. After 9/11, the geniuses in our government declared September 11 to be Patriots day. But, Patriot’s day with an apostrophe had been a holiday dating back to the founding of the USA. April 19, 1775 saw the famous battle of Lexington and Concord, known as the shot heard round the world. In 1894, the governor of Massachusetts signed the day into law, creating a state holiday, that, to this date, is still observed. Somewhere along the way, it was moved to the 3rd Monday in April. In recent years, it has become known as Marathon Monday in honor of the Boston Marathon, which has its own history.
Although Patriot’s day marks the beginning of our country as a nation, it was never recognized on the federal level. It is celebrated in Massachusetts and Maine, but seems to be a footnote across the rest of the country. This is, indeed, a shame. 2nd amendment rights activists should be extolling this day. Over a year before the declaration of independence, our forefathers declared independence with the voice of guns and cannons.
The actions taken on that day truly represent what being a patriot is. They stood up to a regime from another land asserting control over their homes. It led to the formation of a democratic government based on self regulation: A government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Although it has never truly represented “all” the people, it has shown slow progress in becoming truly inclusive.
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We should celebrate people like Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and Sybil Ludington
Who is Sybil, you may ask? It’s a little known fact, that Paul Revere is not the only person who rode out to alert the colonists of the impending invasion by the British. The notion of Revere as a solo rider comes from the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem. 3 men actually made that ride. They were Paul Revere, Samuel Prescott, and William Dawes. Revere ended up captured by the British. And, Dawes fell off his horse. Only Prescott made the full run. And, to add insult to injury, 2 years later, Sybil Ludington made a ride, twice as long, by herself, to alert the citizens of upstate New York. She was 16 at the time.
So, fake news is as American as Paul Revere… Regardless of such alternative facts, the actions of April 1775 still reverberate to this day. Revere, along with cohorts like Sam Adams and John Hancock did provide capital, resources, ideas, and the moxie necessary for the United States of America to become an independent nation and the powerhouse it is today.
Happy Patriots day! The celebration had to wait.
Although the battle of Lexington and Concord was a humiliating defeat for the British, it was only the beginning of full scale war. The history of British intimidation dates back further than this pivotal battle, and, extends to the treaty of Paris in 1783. Although, we had a happy patriot’s day, true freedom was a long time coming.
1754 saw the French and Indian war, which lasted almost a decade involving fighting that tapped British coffers. To make up the loss and to expand the control of the British empire, England levied a series of increased tariffs and taxes on its territories, such as the stamp act of 1765. But, Americans had lived on this land for generations. Some had never even been to England. It made little sense for a monarchy 4,500 miles away to have control over the lives of people in a sovereign nation. The Pilgrims migrated here to escape tyranny. Yet, it followed.
In 1770, the locals had enough of it. They staged a protest in what would become the Boston Massacre. Crispus Attucks would be the first person killed in the brewing war. Of course, he was part black, part Native American. This would be the beginning of a whole other set of atrocities that we don’t have time for here. And, in typical lawyerly fashion, one of our own heroes, John Adams successfully defended the British soldiers who did the shooting (some things still haven’t changed).
Tea time. Put the kettle on, dear…
Not so fast. In 1773 things got worse, Several of our founding fathers went out drinking and pulled a peter Griffin plot. They said, “hey, now get this… No. Don’t laugh. We’ll dress up like Indians… and… and… we’ll sneak onto that ship over there…and, wait for it… We throw all the tea in the water. Then we’ll drink it. What? no. We won’t drink it? Okay, fine. But, we still dress up like Indians, right? Okay. Let’s do this thing!
Guess what, it sort of worked. The Brits got a bit ticked off. Two years later, all this animosity blew up into a full blown war. It was like a break up from an abusive relationship where the guy just won’t take no for an answer. In 1776, we declared independence. He wasn’t buying it. The Brits beat us at Bunker hill. But, we were inspired by the fight we had. So, we kept trying. By the end of 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware, and defeated borgoyne at Saratoga a year later.
Finally in 1778 we got help from France. 3 years later, we ratified our constitution. Soon after, Washington defeated Cornwallis at Yorktown, with the help of the French. 2 years later, the British finally accepted our independence. And, you thought your divorce was long and hard…
All this history is making me hungry. Happy Patriot’s day!
At the time of the revolutionary war, we had no refrigeration. Food had to be either harvested fresh and local or preserved. Most cooking would have had a New England Flair. Boston baked beans would have been a main staple since they could be made in batches and held for a while. Plus, the farting would keep the Brits away (jk).
Farm to fork was a way of life at this time. Not because it was hip, but because it was what you had. So to celebrate Patriots day, here is a farm to table meal worthy of our forefathers (who weren’t necessarily gourmets). The typical rations supplied to troupes would have consisted of beef, pork, beans, rice, milk, bread, vinegar, beer, and salted fish. Not exactly the healthiest diet. But, at least they had beer.
Today’s menu takes these items into account with other regional seasonal offerings. Springtime in New England is an exciting time for fresh produce. April showers bring fiddleheads, garlic scapes, and ramps among other delicacies like morel mushrooms. In addition to the staples provide by the militia, soldiers would have had access to local farmers or would do some foraging as well. So, let’s take in the New England countryside.
As a reminder: click the links below to access recipes:
- Spring Mushroom Fritters with Garlic Thyme Aioli
- Local baby Greens Salad with Spring onion, Baby Tomatoes, Cucumber, Country loaf croutons, and Dijon Shallot Vinaigrette
- Beer Braised New England Pot Roast with natural gravy, Root Vegetable Hash, and Buttered Fiddleheads
- Whiskey Infused Apple Crisp with Nutmeg Whipped Cream
So put down your musket and celebrate the first volley for Freedom. While you’re at it, maybe you could run 26 miles… or sit on the couch and celebrate the American way! Happy Patriot’s day!
