Two hundred and fifty years ago, in a small tavern in the heart of Pittsfield, three revolutionaries quietly hashed out plans for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Ten days later, the raid they helped shape — and fight — became the first American offensive victory in the Revolutionary War. On Thursday, the Berkshire County Historical Society, Berkshire Athenaeum and the Berkshire Museum commemorated the semi quincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the May 1, 1775, meeting at Easton’s Tavern. During the event, about 30 local historians, history buffs and curious locals celebrated the meeting and its far-reaching impacts alongside a familiar face from the past: John Brown, Pittsfield’s own Revolutionary War spy, who returned — sort of — thanks to reenactor Tim Abbott.

July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. This year marks 250 years since the American Revolution, which started with the historic battles of Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts, and about a month later, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. It was the first offensive victory for American forces in the Revolutionary War and secured the strategic passageway north to Canada. To mark the patriotic events, a three-day reenactment is happening at Fort Ticonderoga the weekend of May 9 to 11, called “No Quarter!,” referring to a historic military order meaning that “there shall be no survivors,” according to the Lieber Institute at West Point.

America celebrates its 250th anniversary as a nation on July 4, 2026, the date the Declaration of Independence was signed. Leading up to that monumental moment, a number of key events occurred that built the fever for freedom. Over the next year or so, The Detroit News will mark the anniversaries of significant milestones on The March to Liberty. Today, we mark the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys on May 10, 1775. It was the first offensive victory for American forces in the Revolutionary War and secured the strategic northern passageway to Canada. The patriots also came away with a large cache of arms, the real prize in the victory.