[Nowhere Man]

Great post; I've always enjoyed history. The French & Indian War is little known even in the upstate NY, Ohio Valley & Great Lakes areas where it was fought; Washington's role was probably more central to this conflict than anyone else of his age--and that in turn gave him the military knowledge and leadership experience he used to bring victory in the Revolutionary War.

I know here in the Pittsburgh area, we were one of the central areas of the French and Indian War. I think I have the July 1976 issue of National Geographic that tells of George Washington's experiences here in the 1750's IIRC. WE have a town named Braddock and a road near me named Brodhead, IIRC, they were both British generals in that war.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

I live in the Pittsburgh area too...Irwin, Westmoreland County. We have a local historical house (on the National registry) that still has 'Indian shutters' (to be closed when the Indians attacked the settlers). Fort Necessity (near Uniontown) has the fort walls still intact...and near my home is the Bushy Run Battlefield site. Alot of history here. Btw, alot of PA public school districts teach (in 4th or 5th grade) the French and Indian war as part of the history/geography ciriculum. So, once while playing Trivial Pursuit, a heated exchange occurred when the answer of 'French and Indian War' was given instead of 'Seven Year War.' (Both are correct...but it is known here at least as the French and Indian War).