[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

The War of Independence began in either 1775 or 1776, depending on whether you date it from Lexington and Concord or from the Declaration of Independence. The first rebel casualty thus occurred on Lexington Common, but since he was a heterosexual Protestant White Guy who owned a gun, nobody appears to remember his name.

Crispus Attucks was killed in 1770. In a foretaste of things to come, he was part of a mob that was throwing snowballs and rocks and British sentries in Boston. The British sentries responded with bullets. They were put on trial, defended by John Adams, and acquitted. Had reverends Sharpton & Jackson been there, Boston would have erupted in mahyem and looting.

The elevation of Crispus Attucks to civic sainthood was one of the earliest blows delivered on behalf of Political Correctness in its campgaign to re-invent America's identity. How far we've come since then! Not only are "bit players" elevated into major roles, but they are "airbrushed" into the historical record -- as demonstrated by the current controversy over the FDNY memorial in NYC.

[SAMWolf]

Bump.

[Red Jones]

wow, that's incredible; I think they had a riot in late 1600's in Boston also, maybe whoever got killed then could be the first death in the war, but I guess he's probably the wrong color.

[Romulus]

Bumping your #20. As I recall, there's some question about the legitimacy of Peary's claim (let along Henson's) to have been the first at the Pole. Can you comment?

[Twodees]

Oops. I apologize, Goetz. I see you beat me and presented better info about Attucks. I'll try to remember to view responses to a post before responding.

[wbill]

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I remembered that he was NOT at Lexington and Concord, but not the specifics of his death.

4th (and 8th) grade were a long time ago.

I agree with your 'bit-players' comment. We're seeing that more and more - I specifially had the misfortune of seeing it at the Smithsonian museum of American History recently. Was expecting stuff on the Revolution, rise of America, etc and got displays on Pop culture, dresses worn by former first ladies, and an exhibit on global warming. I was so disgusted that I left. How a museum can give equal billing to the original Star Spangled Banner AND a 'phaser' from Star Trek boggles my imagination.

I call it 'Gumping' history (with apologies to Forrest). Dumb it down, and populate it with people whose only claim to fame was that they were there when something happened.