What was happening when . . .

As Ridgefield becomes a town (1708, a leap year). . .
Tea is introduced to the Colonies

As the Keeler Tavern (as T. Keeler's Inn) opens (1772). . .
James Watt invents the steam engine and Britain imposes the Stamp Act (1765)

As the Boston Tea Party signals a time of rebellion. . .
Ridgefielders, at a Town Meeting, vote to remain loyal to king George III (1775), but later annul that decision and adopt the Continental Congress resolutions.

As the Battle of Ridgefield is fought (1777). . .
The Hot Air Balloon is introduced (1783)

As Ridgefield's post office is established (1791). . .
Mozart composes "Don Giovanni" (1787) and Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin (1793).

As a stage line between Ridgebury and Norwalk is established (1836). . .
Elias Howe invents the sewing machine (1845), the First Women's Rights Convention is in Seneca Falls, NY (1848) and George Crum introduces potato chips (1853)

As the Civil War ends (1865) with 209 Ridgefielders fighting. . .
Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss introduce blue jeans (1873)

As Ridgefield's population grows to 2,200 (1865). . .
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone (1876), Thomas Edison, the phonograph (1877) and a form of toilet paper is invented (1880).

As Ridgefield got its first telephone service with 27 subscribers (1891). . .
Liliuokalani is proclaimed Queen of Hawaii and the Swiss Army Knife is developed.

As the Great Fire destroys 10 buildings in Ridgefield (1895). . .
New York City uses horse-drawn streetcars and the first professional football game is played in Latrobe, PA.

As Ridgefield's population jumps to 2,626 (1900). . .
Eastman Kodak introduces the Brownie camera, which sells for $1 and Sigmund Freud writes "The interpretation of Dreams."

As the first motion picture is being shown in Ridgefield's Town Hall by the Edison Projectoscope Company (1902). . .
Beatrix Potter writes "Peter Rabbit" and Jell-O is introduced.

As thieves blow up the post office and steal the postmaster's horse and carriage in Ridgefield (1903). . .
Boston beats Pittsburgh in the first World Series and the Wright Brothers' flying machine takes to the air.

As Cass Gilbert purchases Keeler Tavern and designs our fountain (1907). . .
Taxicabs appear in New York City and the international Paper Co. introduces paper cups (1908).

As Ridgefield's population reaches 3,118 (1910). . .
The Titantic sinks (1912), Nabisco introduces Oreos (1912) and L.L. Bean starts his mail order business (1912)

As mail is delivered to homes in Ridgefield (1920). . .
Women get the right to vote and prohibition begins.

As Ridgefield High School opens on East Ridge (1927). . .
Everyone is dancing the Charleston, Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs and Kool-Aid is introduced.

As 1,061 cars are registered in Ridgefield, with 36 accidents reported (1930). . .
Campbell's introudces Tomato Soup (1932), Scotch Tape is patented (1930) and Buck Rogers is on the radio.

As "Broadway Melody of 1940" plays at the new Ridgefield Movie Theater (1940). . .
Sugar and meat are rationed and nylon stockings are produced.

As WWII ended (1945) with 641 Ridgefielders serving. . .
Dr. Spock started offering parents advice (1946) and Christian Dior launches the New Look (1947).

As Toscanini leads a orchestra in Ridgefield (1947). . .
Milton Berle and Ed Sullivan are on television, the Frisbee is invented at Yale (1948) and "Peanuts" debuts.

As Ridgefield's population reaches 4,20l (1950). . .
Silly Putty is introduced, we can buy Swanson TV dinners (1952) and McDonalds erects the golden arches (1954)

As Veteran's Park School opens (1955). . .
Rosa Parks sits in the front of a bus, Elvis sings "Blue Suede Shoes" (1956) and Sputnik is launched (1957).

As Ridgefield's population grows to 8,165 (1960). . .
Pop-top soda cans are introduced (1962) and the Beach Boys surf cross-country (1964).

As the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum (1964), the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (1965) and the Keeler Tavern Museum (1966) are formed. . .
The Beatles invade the US (1964), The Nehru Jacket debuts, and fortunately fades (1966) and flower children flock to San Francisco (1967).

As Ridgefield's population soars to 18,188 (1970). . .
Rockers went to Woodstock and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon (1969) and Pong, the first video game hit the stores (1972).

As the Ridgefield Guild of Artists (1974) and the Ridgefield Chorale (1976) are founded and some Ridgefield stores defy the states' blue laws (1974). . .
John Travolta dances in "Saturday Night Fever" (1977), cellphones are introduced (1979) and small pox is eradicated (1980).

As fireworks again celebrate July 4^th in Ridgefield (1997). . .
J.K Rowling introduces us to Hogwarts (1997) and Ugg Boots keep our feet warm (2001)

As Ridgefielders elect the Board of Selectmen to serve a four-year term (2007), the 300^th Anniversary Celebration begins! (2008)