What Happened Today - October

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I have found my information for these pages from the following sites and applications:

• Today in the 1770s 
• Today in History 
• Today in History - A timeline of events 
• This Day in History 
• On-This-Day.com 
• Library of Congress 
• National Park Service

October 1, 1776 - The patriots are thrilled - they have occupied three strong points in New York - Harlem Heights, Mt. Washington, and King's Bridge.  This should aid them in the battle against the British.

October 2, 1780 - Benedict Arnold's accomplice, Major Andre is hanged.  Andre hoped to be shot and asked Washington, but George Washington wanted to exchange Andre for Benedict Arnold.  Not hearing back from the British commander Clinton, Washington was left with no choice but to execute Major Andre.

October 3, 1776 - Congress borrows $5 million to keep money from depreciating in the colonies.  Sounds like what's going on today.  After the war, Alexander Hamilton makes sure all debts are paid.

October 4, 1777 - General Washington's attempt to retake Philadelphia is repelled by British General Howe.  Washington is forced to go to Valley Forge for the winter.

October 4-5, 1778 - The British raid Mincock Island (now known as Egg Harbor) in New Jersey.  Colonial privateeers push the British soldiers back, but lose 50 patriots in the small battle.

October 6, 1775 - the Continental Congress passed a resolution to arrest loyalists who they considered dangerous to the "liberties of America".  This was not surprising since the British were arresting patriots and imprisoning them.

October 7, 1777 - the Articles of Confederation give each state one vote in the new legistature.

October 8, 1775 - the council of war meets with Washington and agree to limit terms of enlistment to one year.  Even so, many soldiers remained on active duty for far longer.

October 9, 1781 - Important day for the Revolutionary War - American begins shelling Cornwallis in Yorktown.  This is the beginning of the end for the British and yet the beginning of a new country for America.

October 10, 1775 - General Howe is named commander in chief of the British Army.  General Gage is called back to England.  Howe will not arrive in the colonies until April of 1776, but he will be the man responsible for trying to defeat those pesky colonists.

October 11, 1776 - The American patriots are surprised on Lake Champlain when General Carleton attacks.  At the same time, Washington is told to block the Hudson River and keep the British at Fort Washington.

October 12, 1776 - Washington sends troops to remove a bridge on the East River in an attempt to keep the British from reaching the New York mainland.

October 13, 1777 - General Gates accepts Burgoyne's request to stop fighting.  Of course they use much more flowery words - a cessation of hostilities.

October 14, 1775 - when the British learn the patriot fleet is setting up charges in the Delaware River to keep the British from getting to Philadelphia, he orders the British fleet to go there and destroy anything they face.

October 15, 1772 - an article appeared in the Virginia Gazette to explain how to revive someone who drowned.  The detail is amazing.  Earlier in the month a hurricane struck the area and many people drowned.  To see this article click on the link Today in the 1770s - www.history.org/history/todayin1770s/

October 16, 1773 - The Philadelphia Resolutions are printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette.  These resolutions are the first public statement against the British Parliament's Tea Act.  This act was written to help the East India Tea Company stay afloat so to speak (or not go bankrupt in our terms).  Funny this tax was actually lower so that the tea smuggled from the Dutch would be too expensive to buy.  Of course if the British would just allow free trade, perhaps the colonists would not have had to resort to such declarations.  Americans thought the lower tax unfair and asked everyone to oppose the tax and anyone who transported, sold, or consumed the taxed tea would be considered an enemy.  Fighting words in 1773!!

October 17,  1777 - The British under Burgoyne surrender 5000 men at Saratoga, NY.  This is a huge blow to the British who do not believe in surrender.  The turning point in the war, several battles were fought over a 19 day period.  Once the British surrendered here, France decided to help the new colonists in their battle.

October 18, 1767 - The Mason-Dixon line is established between Maryland and Pennsylvania.  At this time in history it may not seem very important but once the Civil War breaks out, this line will be very important in delineating the North and the South.

October19, 1781 - CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS!!!!  The American Revolution is over.  Cornwallis does not show up for the formal surrender but sends his second-in-command.  He writes a letter which states "I have the mortification to inform your Excellency that I have been forced to give up the Posts of York and Gloucester, and to surrender the troops under my command, by capitulation, on the 19th instant, as prisoners of war to the combined forces of America and France."

October 20, 1774 - the Continental Congress passes an order telling the colonists to stop gaming, gambling, and other expensive forms of entertainment.  Also on this day, Thomas Gage sends a letter to Peyton Randolph to meet and convince his friends to pay the stamp tax.  He knows Peyton Randolph is in Philadelphia and hopes to convince him to stop this protest against the Crown (meaning the king).

October 21, 1787 - The USS Constitution - also known as Old Ironsides was commissioned.  The US Navy's famous frigate is 204 feet long.  Even after battles in 1803 and 1804, it survived unharmed.  A British sailor claimed the cannonballs bounced off the sides (which is where it got its nickname). You can still see it docked at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.  Just imagine - it's the oldest warship afloat in the world! Not bad for a young navy to build such an indestructible ship.  Way to go, USA!

October 22, 1775 - Peyton Randolph dies.  A prominent Virginian who graduated from William and Mary College, he became the attorney general of Virginia.  He served in the House of Burgesses before being elected the first president of the Continental Congress. He was elected again the following year but he died one month later.  He did not live to see America achieve its independence.

October 23, 1777 - the British fleet suffer a huge defeat at Ft. Mifflin.  The British were trying to secure lines along the Delaware River to reach occupied Philadelphia.  Cannon bombards them and the ships are badly damaged.  The battle continued for weeks, even though this night they were successful.  Unfortunately on November 16, the Americans were forced to leave Ft. Mifflin. Cornwallis ends up taking control of the fort while the patriots spend a cold winter at Valley Forge.

October 24, 1775 - Virginia's governor - Lord Dunmore orders the naval fleet to attack Norfolk, VA.  The Patriots and militiamen surprise the 6 ships and send them in retreat.  Two ships are run aground and are captured.

October 25, 1760 - George III becomes king after his father, George II dies.  Speaking very little English, this Hanoverian, would forever be known as the king who lost to a group of upstarts - the American colonists.

October 26, 1776 - Benjamin Franklin leaves for France  to represent the newly separated colonists.  He hopes to negotiate an alliance with France.  Unfortunately while everyone admires him and has parties for him, the country does not immediately join forces with America. France wants to be sure America will win the war before joining up.  As a result, they withhold support for a couple years until after the Battle of Saratoga.  The official date of the alliance is February 6, 1778.

October 27, 1775 - King George III has lost his patience with the colonies. He hoped the colonists would remember their loyalty to him, but as the months pass, he realizes they must be made to understand their place.  He speaks to Parliament and asks them to end the revolt quickly and gives his consent to send troops against them.

October 28, 1775 - The British commander - Major General Howe orders the people in Boston to remain at their homes.  He refuses to let anyone leave the city.  Not only that - he orders everyone to organize in military groups to help the British cause.  (I think he chose the wrong city to order everyone to join forces with the British.)

October 29, 1682 - William Penn landed on what is now known as Chester, PA.  He founds Pennsylvania which means "Penn's Woods". Where he landed was originally called Upland by the Swedes who lived there, but he renamed it Chester. He acquired the land because Charles II owed the Penns a huge debt for restoring Charles and the Stuarts back in power.

October 30, 1775 - The Continental Congress creates a naval committee - John Adams, Joseph Hewes, John Langdon, Richard Henry "Lighthorse" Lee, Silas Deane, and Stephen Hopkins.  Their job is to build a naval fleet to fight the British.

October 31, 1803 - Congress signs a bill to purchase the Louisiana territory.  It will add 13 new states to the United States over the upcoming years.