Month: July 2017

On this day, July 13th, in 1787, Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, structuring settlement of the Northwest Territory and creating a policy for the addition of new states to the nation. The members of Congress […]

British Evacuate Savannah, Georgia – On this day, July 11th, in 1782, British Royal Governor Sir James Wright, along with several civil officials and military officers, flee the city of Savannah, Georgia, and head to […]

Colonel William Barton of the Rhode Island Patriot militia captures British General Richard Prescott, from his bed, during the early morning hours of this day, July 10th in 1777. Prescott was the only British general […]

On this day in 1777, New York elects Brigadier General George Clinton as the first governor of the independent state of New York. Clinton would go on to become New York’s longest-serving governor, as well […]

On this day July, 8th in 1776, a 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell now known as the Liberty Bell rings out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first […]

On This Day, July 7th, 1947. Maj. Jesse Marcel, of the United States Air Force arrives at the debris field of a UFO crash site near Roswell, New Mexico. In the summer of 1947, a rancher […]

On this day, July 6th, in 1775, one day after restating their fidelity to King George III and wishing him “a long and prosperous reign” in the Olive Branch Petition, Congress sets “forth the causes […]

On this day, July 5th, in 1775, the Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition, written by John Dickinson, which appeals directly to King George III and expresses hope for reconciliation between the colonies and […]

On this day, July 4th, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which which America Declares Independence from Great Britain and its king. The declaration came 442 days after the […]

Washington Takes Command On this day, July 3rd, 1775, George Washington rides out in front of the American troops gathered at Cambridge common in Massachusetts and draws his sword, formally taking command of the Continental […]