The Spy Who Regretted His Last Words

On September 22, 1776, history took a somber yet legendary turn in New York City. Nathan Hale, a 21-year-old Connecticut schoolteacher turned Continental Army captain, met his end at the hands of the British for espionage. While his execution was a tragic affair, Hale is best remembered for his supposed final words: 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.' It is a classic moment of historical bravado—though, in a funny twist of historical irony, some historians argue he may have actually been quoting a line from a popular play of the time, Cato, by Joseph Addison. Whether he was a master of improvisation or a fan of dramatic theater, Hale remains one of history's most famous 'last-word' icons!