Semiquincentennial is three Latin words glued together to mean "250th anniversary."  In this semiquincentennial, people and organizations across the nation are joining together to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

250 years ago, Falmouth was much larger.  It encompassed the area of present-day Falmouth, Portland, and Westbrook.  Cape Elizabeth (which then included what became South Portland) split off from Falmouth in 1765.  Falmouth was the market town with its center in what today is Portland's Old Port. 

Maine was part of Massachusetts with Falmouth and Scarborough having been annexed by Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1658.  After Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth Colonies were combined, the new Province of Massachusetts Bay found itself with two towns named Falmouth, the other on Cape Cod having been chartered in 1686.  To avoid confusion, the Falmouth in "Yorkshire" (Maine) became known as "Falmouth on Casco Bay."

Falmouth was attacked by the British in October 1775 when a Royal Navy flotilla sailed into the Fore River and opened fire on Falmouth's town center (the Old Port).  Many buildings were destroyed.  Unable to defend itself against another naval attack, Falmouth wasn't rebuilt for another decade. That didn't prevent the townspeople from giving their all to support the Revolution.

The Revolution is a big chapter in the history of Falmouth.  As we pass the 250th anniversary of historic milestones during the struggle for freedom, we will share stories telling how those events played out in Falmouth.