Final answer:
Nathan Hale was an American spy executed by the British during the Revolutionary War, famous for his last words expressing his willingness to sacrifice his life for his country.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nathan Hale was an American spy for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Captured by the British, Hale was executed, and his purported last words were, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." This statement has been memorialized as a symbol of American patriotism and sacrifice. Hale's espionage and ultimate sacrifice came during a time of significant events such as the British defeat at Yorktown, the eventual Treaty of Paris in 1783, and the complexity of international relationships that included the French alliance with the American colonies against Britain.