1755 – He was born on the 6th day of June this year in Coventry, Connecticut.
1769 – At fourteen years old, he was sent with his brother Enoch to Yale University. The Hale brothers belonged to the Yale literary fraternity, Linonia, which debated topics in astronomy, mathematics, literature, and the ethics of slavery.
1773 – He graduated with first-class honors this year. Nathan became a teacher, first in East Haddam and later in New London.
1775 – After the Revolutionary War began in this year, he joined a Connecticut militia and was elected first sergeant. In July of this year, he joined the regular Continental Army’s 7th Connecticut Regiment under Colonel Charles Webb of Stamford.
1776 – He was promoted to captain and on the 22nd day of September this year, Hale was marched along Post Road to the Park of Artillery, which was next to a public house called the Dove Tavern and hanged. He was 21 years old when he died.
1985 – Hale has long been considered an American hero and, in this year, he was officially designated the State Hero of Connecticut.