Fact checking

In the most recent issue of the Post-Gazette newspaper, there is -- as in every issue -- an article under the byline of Mayor Menino, though the weekly column is almost certainly written by someone on the mayor's staff. At the end of the first paragraph the piece says, "On March 17, 1776 the British Army finally left 'the colonies,' by way of Boston Harbor after being beaten in the American Revolutionary War."

Actually, the war was in its early stages and would go on for more than five years. The British didn't again threaten Boston, but they did attack New York, Philadelphia and many other places throughout the fledgling nation. The last enemy troops didn't leave until Nov. 25, 1783. We all make mistakes, but if it's a front-page story with the mayor's name on it, somebody has got to check the facts.