It’s been said that “the Declaration of Independence was signed in ink at Philadelphia, and signed in blood at Brooklyn.”

When most people think of the opening salvo of the American Revolution, they usually imagine the “shot heard ‘round the world” fired in Concord or the fighting at Bunker Hill. But the first — and biggest — major battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence took place on the land right under our feet.

In August 1776, after amassing a force of 32,000 troops, the British landed on the shores of Gravesend Bay and began advancing north. Fighting raged through areas we now know as Green-Wood Cemetery, Prospect Park, and Fort Greene Park before culminating at the site of the Old Stone House in Park Slope.

On the morning of August 27, the British advanced toward the main American camp at Brooklyn Heights. With the Americans on the back foot, a regiment of 400 brave Maryland soldiers battled against the larger British forces, while the rest of the American army — led by George Washington — retreated across the East River to safety. 

The Battle of Brooklyn was ostensibly a victory for the British, who killed or captured 1,000 Americans and occupied New York City. But the British failed to capture Washington and his army, which survived to fight again and, eventually, win the war.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The Battle of Brooklyn was 250 years ago. But it offers us lessons that are still relevant today.

History often celebrates victories. But the Battle of Brooklyn reminds us that perseverance in the face of defeat matters, too. Even when faced with uncertainty and setbacks, the Americans continued to fight, because they believed the values expressed in the Declaration — that “all men are created equal” and have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” — were worth defending.

In the ensuing two-and-a-half centuries, we’ve continued fighting to live up to the full promise of those values, from the movement for women’s suffrage to the civil rights movement, from the battle for workers’ rights to the struggle for LGBT rights. Today, the threats we face look different than they did in 1776, but the questions underlying them are in many ways the same: Who gets to live freely in the United States? Who gets a say in the decisions of our government? And what does the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” really look like?

These questions have perhaps never been more present in our day-to-day lives. We see them in the fight to protect our immigrant neighbors seeking to pursue their own American Dream. We see them in the push to ensure universal healthcare, affordable housing, and a dignified life for all people. We feel them in the ongoing battles over voting rights, the rule of law, and the struggle for a government that protects the liberties of every person, not just those with power. 

These aren’t distant ideas buried in history books. They’re playing out in the city and country we call home. And while we’re no longer fighting a war for independence, the work to secure and strengthen the democracy we’ve inherited is far from over.

Over the course of the summer, we’ve partnered with community organizations to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn, with everything from panels and historical tours to reenactments. This commemoration is about more than just reminiscing on a long-ago event. It’s also about reminding us that history is not inevitable. The freedoms we enjoy today were secured through sacrifice and strengthened by each generation that came after.

As we mark this historic anniversary, we should not only remember what happened in Brooklyn 250 years ago. We must also recommit ourselves to the work of building a stronger democracy for the 250 years to come.