JUMONVILLE, Pennsylvania — What happened here 266 years ago had repercussions so profound they changed the course of world history abruptly and irreversibly. A disputed moment occurred that led to the French and Indian War, the first true world war that would drag on for seven years, draw blood in five continents, and whose costs would directly lead to a colonial uprising.

It was the first domino in a line of events that ultimately lead to the formation of the United States. Sometimes you have to go back to where it all began to figure out where we are now and where we are heading.