About Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale was born on June 6, 1755, to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong Hale. He was the sixth of twelve children (of which a boy and a girl died as young babies). He grew up on a farm of 240 acres in the lush and rolling meadows of the countryside near Coventry, Connecticut. His two closest friends were his older brother Enoch, and a neighbor Asher Wright, with whom many a summer day was spent fishing and swimming in the Willimantic River. When he was twelve years old, Nathan Hale's mother (Elizabeth) died, filling his heart with a great loneliness. To try to forget their loss, Nathan and Enoch took to their books and studied hard. With help from their minister, in just two years time, they were ready to enroll in Yale College. All of this was happening at a time that our country was beginning to tire of the rule of the English and expressed ideas of becoming a country of its own. Even Nathan was known to have expressed his thoughts about America having a part in making their laws and speaking their minds openly.

After graduating from Yale, Nathan decided that his calling to be a leader of men would start out as a teacher. Nathan went to East Haddam, Connecticut to begin his teaching career. He was soon asked to become the master of a new academy in New London. It was during his first year at the school that Nathan joined the Continental Army and asked for a commission. After being commissioned as a First Lieutenant he was assigned to recruit new soldiers up and down the coast of Connecticut. Time and time again Nathan proved his value to the army of the new America, even receiving a promotion to Captain. However, the war was not going very well for the colonists, especially at the harbor of New York City. General Washington asked for a group of the most outstanding soldiers known to be assembled, out of which one would volunteer to complete a very special task. They were to go behind enemy lines, learn of the plans of the British, draw maps of their fortifications and write notes in code, and return with the information. Nathan volunteered the very next morning, and dressed as a schoolteacher, began his secret mission. He easily made his way through the enemy lines to Long Island. He was successful in writing notes and drawing maps (and hiding them in his shoe) for about a week. Nathan was captured while trying to escape, after he had listened in on a meeting that was discussing plans on how to capture Washington's army on Manhattan Island. After being searched and the notes found in his shoe, he was sentenced to be hanged the following morning. The next day, while waiting for his execution he was asked if there was anything he would like to have. He asked for a Bible, but since none was available, he asked for paper and a pen instead. He began with the heading " New York City, September 22, 1776, and he poured his thoughts out on paper as he wrote two letters to his family. He was promised by an English Captain that they would be delivered to his brother Enoch. Slowly, but calmly, Nathan walked to the cart that had been placed under a tree. A rope was hanging from one of the limbs. From the cart Nathan looked over the small crowd that had gathered. Some of the faces looked scornful. Many showed pity. "Don't you know that you're about to die?", an English officer asked of him. "Yes, I know," Nathan said quietly. "I never saw anyone like you! Don't you have any regrets?" the officer asked. He looked at the people without fear and spoke in an unwavering voice. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my Country!" Main, Mildred Miles. 'Hail Nathan Hale!' Abington: Abington Press, 1965.

Nathan Hale was a school teacher. In an effort to serve his country, he became a symbol of patriotism and a part of the American Heritage. Our school, Nathan Hale, remains intent upon serving the educational needs of our community in the same attitude and dedication as our namesake. We are confident that Hale will continue to prepare students to meet the challenges of tomorrow and to become responsible citizens and neighbors.

The School - Nathan Hale Junior High School was dedicated on May 16, 1965. It was the first Omaha Public School built to be climate controlled for full year utilization. Grades six through nine were originally enrolled at Hale. Spring of 1989 was the last year ninth graders attended Nathan Hale prompting a move to traditional middle-level education.

About Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale was born on June 6, 1755, to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong Hale. He was the sixth of twelve children (of which a boy and a girl died as young babies). He grew up on a farm of 240 acres in the lush and rolling meadows of the countryside near Coventry, Connecticut. His two closest friends were his older brother Enoch, and a neighbor Asher Wright, with whom many a summer day was spent fishing and swimming in the Willimantic River. When he was twelve years old, Nathan Hale's mother (Elizabeth) died, filling his heart with a great loneliness. To try to forget their loss, Nathan and Enoch took to their books and studied hard. With help from their minister, in just two years time, they were ready to enroll in Yale College. All of this was happening at a time that our country was beginning to tire of the rule of the English and expressed ideas of becoming a country of its own. Even Nathan was known to have expressed his thoughts about America having a part in making their laws and speaking their minds openly.

After graduating from Yale, Nathan decided that his calling to be a leader of men would start out as a teacher. Nathan went to East Haddam, Connecticut to begin his teaching career. He was soon asked to become the master of a new academy in New London. It was during his first year at the school that Nathan joined the Continental Army and asked for a commission. After being commissioned as a First Lieutenant he was assigned to recruit new soldiers up and down the coast of Connecticut. Time and time again Nathan proved his value to the army of the new America, even receiving a promotion to Captain. However, the war was not going very well for the colonists, especially at the harbor of New York City. General Washington asked for a group of the most outstanding soldiers known to be assembled, out of which one would volunteer to complete a very special task. They were to go behind enemy lines, learn of the plans of the British, draw maps of their fortifications and write notes in code, and return with the information. Nathan volunteered the very next morning, and dressed as a schoolteacher, began his secret mission. He easily made his way through the enemy lines to Long Island. He was successful in writing notes and drawing maps (and hiding them in his shoe) for about a week. Nathan was captured while trying to escape, after he had listened in on a meeting that was discussing plans on how to capture Washington's army on Manhattan Island. After being searched and the notes found in his shoe, he was sentenced to be hanged the following morning. The next day, while waiting for his execution he was asked if there was anything he would like to have. He asked for a Bible, but since none was available, he asked for paper and a pen instead. He began with the heading " New York City, September 22, 1776, and he poured his thoughts out on paper as he wrote two letters to his family. He was promised by an English Captain that they would be delivered to his brother Enoch. Slowly, but calmly, Nathan walked to the cart that had been placed under a tree. A rope was hanging from one of the limbs. From the cart Nathan looked over the small crowd that had gathered. Some of the faces looked scornful. Many showed pity. "Don't you know that you're about to die?", an English officer asked of him. "Yes, I know," Nathan said quietly. "I never saw anyone like you! Don't you have any regrets?" the officer asked. He looked at the people without fear and spoke in an unwavering voice. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my Country!" Main, Mildred Miles. 'Hail Nathan Hale!' Abington: Abington Press, 1965.

Nathan Hale was a school teacher. In an effort to serve his country, he became a symbol of patriotism and a part of the American Heritage. Our school, Nathan Hale, remains intent upon serving the educational needs of our community in the same attitude and dedication as our namesake. We are confident that Hale will continue to prepare students to meet the challenges of tomorrow and to become responsible citizens and neighbors.

The School - Nathan Hale Junior High School was dedicated on May 16, 1965. It was the first Omaha Public School built to be climate controlled for full year utilization. Grades six through nine were originally enrolled at Hale. Spring of 1989 was the last year ninth graders attended Nathan Hale prompting a move to traditional middle-level education.