The surrender at Saratoga of a British army under John Burgoyne, now almost 250 years ago, has long been called the decisive battle of the American Revolution. But perhaps Burgoyne was doomed after the Battle of Bennington, a bloody day of fighting along the Vermont border that happened two months before Saratoga.

Historian Howard Coffin discusses the history-altering Burgoyne campaign, focusing on the dramatic battle of “Great Bennington,” which was both a Vermont and a New York battle. He also reviews the heroes John Stark and Seth Warner, as well as the Vermont Constitution, which is about to turn 250 years old.