Central NY: Ft. Stanwix commemorates 234th anniversary of siege
ROME, N.Y. -- The nearly month-long siege of Fort Stanwix played a critical role in the American Revolution and Wednesday, residents got to learn more about its significance.
Activities were held at the fort's national monument in Rome to commemorate the day in 1777 when soldiers raised their own flag to show their independence to British troops. The attack lasted for 21 days and was meant to drive a wedge between the northern and southern colonies.
"Instead, because of the fort standing fast, forcing the British to finally retreat, the Americans were then able to win the victories of Saratoga in the fall of 1777, which brought about the turning point in the American Revolution," said William Sawyer, a park ranger at Ft. Stanwix.
A ceremony will also be held at the Oriskany Battlefield on August 6th to remember what some call the bloodiest battle of the revolution.
