In late May of 1754 in the far backcountry of Virginia a young colonel of the Virginia Regiment fired the shots that would "set the world on fire" and place three great powers - Great Britain, France and the Native Americans - on a course to determine the control of North America.

    This conflict would prove to be the spawning ground for many of the problems and inspirations that would lead colonists to soon take up arms against their mother country and seek independence. The heroes of the French and Indian War would, in many cases, become the leaders and heroes of the Revolution.

    Join us in commemorating the two-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of this little remembered time in our colonial history as sites from the seaports of the Atlantic to the far reaches of the rivers of the Mississippi sponsor programs and events during this anniversary celebration, 2004-2010.