Nathan Hale (1755–1776) was an American patriot and soldier who became one of the most celebrated spies of the Revolutionary War. Born in Coventry, Connecticut, Hale graduated from Yale College in 1773 and initially worked as a schoolteacher. When the war broke out, he joined the Continental Army and quickly rose to the rank of captain.
Hale volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission behind British lines in New York City in 1776. Disguised as a schoolteacher, he collected information on British troop movements but was captured by the British before he could return to his regiment. On September 22, 1776, at the age of 21, Hale was executed by hanging. His reported final words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," have immortalized him as a symbol of patriotism and sacrifice. Hale's legacy endures as a reminder of the risks taken by those who fought for American independence.
