From one battle to another | The press

(Ticonderoga, New York State) at Fort Ticonderoga, in northern New York State, young employees in 18th century costumes^e century resumed hand clothes in a dark room. As at the time of the American Revolution, 250 years ago.

Historical reconstructions make the site renown, where artefacts of the time are exposed. This year, there was a great victory there, the first of the rebels against the British army: the capture of the fort, located near Lake Champlain, in 1775. A year before American independence.

“It forced them not to see themselves only as individual colonies with their own problems,” said Stuart Lilie, vice-president of the public history of Fort Ticonderoga Association, met on the spot.

American history is dotted with important fractures. Dissessions from its beginnings, to the ideological cleavages that divide the country today, passing through the Civil War and the struggles for civil rights.

“But even if we were divided from the beginning, with so many points of view and regional differences, ultimately, we united for a common cause in the battle for independence, which gave us our nation,” said Beth Hill, president and general manager of Fort Ticonderoga Association.

It is this ideal that millions of Americans celebrate on July 4.

Even the anti-Trump demonstrators have taken up this theme, organizing some gatherings in the country on the themes of unity and freedom. The number of demonstrations planned for independence is less important than for the “anti-king” day in mid-June.

Parade

In addition to its historical fort, where a “real -time” reconstruction is presented – a period in 2025 reproducing that of 1775 -, Ticonderoga is also the heart of the day of independence for the region.

“Each small town in the corner claims a party, and we are independence,” explains Erin Mullen, director for events and services to the members of the Ticonderoga region. Behind her, gnomes in the colors of the American flag have resumed their rights on a shelf, as every year on such a date.

The organizers expect thousands of people for the occasion, along rue Montcalm. A family celebration, far from political tensions, they emphasize.

Each participant in the July 4 parade must undertake not to display political messages. With the exception of candidates officially engaged in an electoral race, which can parade with their signs. Politicians already in post can also participate, specifies M^me Mullen.

“We revised our guidelines five or six years ago, after problems,” said Debbie Barber, president of the Best 4th in the North committee.

A Confederate flag had aroused complaints.

Conservative and centrist

Along the 210 km road between Montreal and Ticonderoga, residents proudly display their political colors. A flag supporting President Trump floats here in the wind. There, a blue sign is planted in front of a house, reiterating the message “no king in America”.

The northern state is deemed to be conservative, while being quite in the center. In the county of Essex, where Ticonderoga is located, the results of November were tight: Kamala Harris won 50 % of the votes, earning the majority of supports by a gap of 96 votes. Republican Elise Stefanik, in the House of Representatives, won 51.7 % of the supports in the same county.

At 40, Democrat Laura Best participated in her first parade as a candidate for the municipal council. “We see the divisions, but we are a small community, and I think everyone is trying to do their best for the community,” said the nurse.

Last year, M^me Stefanik, a member for the Republican Party, participated in the Ticonderoga parade with supporters. “By advancing with the very decorated car, we saw the reaction of people, with cheers or hoots,” says Fred V. Provoncha, of the Ticonderoga republican committee, mimicking the thumbs up in the air and those below seen in the crowd.

The 77 -year -old republican does not make any cases. “I like these differences,” notes the one who was not a fan of the early Trump, but now appreciates his policies.

Quebec Invasion

The retiree does not however go so far as to press Trump in his words about Canada as 51^e State. “I hope that the United States and Canada will find a way of getting along that will make the two countries happy,” said genealogy enthusiast, without advancing a possible solution. His links with Quebec are strong, he underlines, showing in his library the brown back of the Genealogical dictionary of Provencher families in Americahis ancestors.

The links between Quebec and the northern United States are also at the heart of the presentations of Fort Ticonderoga. The year 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the invasion during which soldiers of the Continental Congress left Ticonderoga to win Quebec, trying to rally French speakers to their cause.

The troops managed to occupy Montreal briefly. They fell back the following year.

Fort Ticonderoga is combined with other historic places, including Château Ramezay, in Montreal, to make the past known.

Uniform

The exhibition of the fort tries to expose the different shades of history, notes Beth Hill, with all their complexities.

Behind a window, pottery decorated with illustrations from the Battle of the plains of Abraham rub shoulders with a red jacket.

“The uniforms of the Americans were not standardized during the War of Independence,” notes Stuart Lilie. It was not as simple as the blue coats against red coats. The identity of what it meant, being American, came in a whole range of different colors. »»

A reflection of today’s reality, he agrees.