Benjamin Franklin Article on the Rattlesnake as a Symbol for America
The following letter from “An American Guesser” was published in the Pennsylvania Journal on December 27, 1775. Its author has been identified as Benjamin Franklin. …
1775
King George Establishes ‘The American Prohibitory Act’, Forbidding the Americans from All Trade and Commerce
American Prohibitory Act “It throws thirteen colonies out of the royal protection, levels all distinctions, and makes us independent in spite of our supplications and …
Did the British use Smallpox as a Weapon During the Revolutionary War?
On Dec. 4, 1775, Washington informed Congress that the British were sending civilians infected with smallpox out of the city: “By recent information … General …
The Marines are first formed as an act of the Continental Congress
On this date in history, the US Marine Corps was founded in 1775. At the very start of the American Revolution, there was an act …
The Olive Branch Petition: A letter from the 2nd Continental Congress to King George to Repeal his Tyrannous Laws
The Olive Branch Petition was issued (shipped by boat) from the American colonies to King George III in England. It proposed a final peace deal with England …
Thomas Jefferson: “We are Reduced to the Alternative of Choosing an Unconditional Submission to Tyranny, or Resistance by Force. The Latter is our Choice!”
The Continental Congress issued A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, Now Met in Congress at Philadelphia, Setting Forth the Causes and …
General Gage gives Ultimatum to Bostonians: Surrender Your Firearms
General Gage finally gave an ultimatum to the Bostonians that they were to surrender their firearms. Anyone that was found in possession of arms would …
Congress Approves General George Washington as the new Commander in Chief
Congress approved the choice of Washington as the new commander in chief, who then read a letter of acceptance. ‘Mr. President, tho’ I am truly …
The Continental Congress officially established the Continental Army
Interestingly, the United States (U.S.) Army traces its lineage to the American Army of the 1780s, not the Continental Army that fought the American Revolution.[3] …