Our infamous state slogan “Live Free or Die” comes from a toast written by Gen. John Stark, New Hampshire’s most famous Revolutionary War soldier, on July 31, 1809. Poor health forced Stark to decline an invitation to an anniversary reunion of the Battle of Bennington. Instead, he sent his toast by letter: “Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils.”
Interesting that Gen. Stark was unable to attend a reunion of the Battle of Bennington, where he would have enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow soldiers who could share the experience of battle, because he was sick!
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