History Matters: Revolution, Independence, and Valcour Island

History matters because liberty is not self-sustaining; it must first be imagined in the minds and hearts of ordinary people, then defended through sacrifice, leadership, and endurance. Using the lives of John and Abigail Adams, Joseph Warren, and William Emerson, this engaging, illustrated presentation explores how the American Revolution grew from conviction into action, while the Declaration of Independence gave that struggle its clearest moral and political purpose. The presentation also highlights the regional significance of the Battle of Valcour Island, arguing that Benedict Arnold's improvised naval stand on Lake Champlain delayed the British advance long enough to preserve the northern defenses and help make the American victory at Saratoga possible.