The Great Windham Frog War of 1754
The Great Windham Frog War of 1754, a quirky and unexpected chapter in the history of Windham, Connecticut, has left a lasting mark on the town’s identity. In the midst of the still-wild frontier, the residents were jolted awake one hot night by disturbing sounds that led them to believe they were under attack by local Native Americans. They defended themselves throughout the night with relentless gunfire.
When dawn broke, they ventured out to discover an unusual sight and the real source of the noise: thousands of deceased frogs that had spent the night engaged in a frantic competition for limited water resources. Rather than feeling shame, the townspeople embraced this peculiar event as part of their heritage. Today, Windham proudly carries the symbol of a frog, and the town’s bridge is adorned with large frog decorations at each corner.