The 250th anniversary of the United States is this year, but the story of American independence goes back farther than 1776. Dr. Anita Gaul said it’s important for people to keep in mind when looking back on the nation’s origins. “I think it’s important to understand why the Declaration of Independence happened in the first place,” said Gaul, a history instructor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The steps that led to American colonies breaking away from Great Britain can be traced back to the Seven Years’ War, she said. “Nothing happens overnight,” she ...