The Gunpowder Incident was an event that took place on April 21, 1775, so there won’t be much about it today. But that was the event that pushed Virginia deeply into the movement toward independence, and allowed the Continental Congress to finally consider seriously the idea of formally breaking away from England.

But it was an event that took place on this day— that barely got any notice at the time—which ultimately led to the Gunpowder Incident.