What Happened Today - September

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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

September 1, 1789 - Richard Penn and Arthur Lee present the Olive Branch Petition to King George's representative, the Earl of Dartmouth.  King George refuses to receive the Olive Branch.

September 2, 1789 - Alexander Hamilton creates the Treasury Department in New York.

September 3, 1783 - Today is an important day!!!! Today Britain signed the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War!!!  We were officially free on this day!!!

September 4, 1780 - Francis Marion also known as the "Swamp Fox" charges against a much larger British force.  The Loyalists are frightened and run!  more men join the patriotic cause after this win.

September 5, 1774 - delegates first met for the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

September 6, 1781 - the British raid and burn New London, Connecticutt.  Their leader is Benedict Arnold.  The patriots are angered when many are killed even after they surrendered.

September 7, 1775 - Congress orders the Quakers to list all males between the age 16-60.  The Quakers refuse since it's against their religious beliefs.  Remember the Quakers do not believe in taking up arms.  William Penn was a Quaker.

September 8, 1775 - American forces try to attack a British garrison in St. Johns, Canada.  The attack is not successful.  Pushing into Canada never proved successful for the Patriots who were busy protecting their own land too.

September 9, 1776 - United States of America is adopted by the Continental Congress to represent our country's name instead of "United Colonies".  I think they made a good choice.  United States of America sounds much better.

September 10, 1776 - The Pennsylvania Convention published the first draft of the Constitution so people could read it and discuss it.  it was important the people agree with the new rules that would make up our young nation.

September 11, 1786 - the Convention of Annapolis convenes to revise the Articles of Confederation.

September 12, 1786 - Cornwallis is named governor of India.  I guess losing the American Revolution can be viewed as a victory for him if you think India was a good place to go OR a punishment.  You decide.

September 13, 1788 - The Constitutional Convention allows for the first FEDERAL election of electors in all states for January 7, 1789.

September 14, 1814 - Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner during the attack on Fort McHenry.  This was the War of 1812.  You can see the tattered flag on display at the Smithsonian Institute's American History Museum.

September 15, 1776 - The British occupy Manhattan, New York.  This was a blow to the new colonists and General George Washington sent troops to fight and free people from the attacks of the soldiers who were looting homes and injuring innocent people.

September 16, 1620 - Today is the day the Pilgrims sailed from England on the Mayflower.  Just imagine if they had never traveled here looking for religious freedom and a better life for their families.  This may have been later than those who landed in Jamestown, but it is just as important to American history.

September 17 - two important events happened on this date 9 years apart.  September 17, 1787 - the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia approves the Constitution of the USA.  September 17, 1786 - George Washington gives his farewell address after he steps down as President of the US.  He served two terms before John Adams won the election (beating Thomas Jefferson).

September 18, 1793 - today is the day George Washington laid the foundation stone for the US Capitol building.  Just imagine over 218 years ago, our Capitol was being built.  When you go inside and see how stunning, it amazes one to think of the building as being that old.

September 19, 1783 - The first hot air balloon took flight at Versailles in France.  The Montgolfier brother's balloon carried a duck, a sheep, and a rooster.  Benjamin Franklin was there to see the momentous occasion and convinced the men to come to America and show George Washington.  A special message was delivered during the flight across the Delaware River.

September 20, 1776 - a new Articles of War is adopted that addresses such issues as discipline, organization, and recruitment.  This news pleases General Washington.  Imagine the difficulties of organizing soldiers when no rules are in place for the men to obey.

September 21, 1777 - The Paoli Massacre - the British attack General Wayne in a brutal surprise attack.  The British often used vicious means fo subdue and overrun the patriots in hopes the rest would surrender.

September 22, 1776 - Nathan Hale is executed for being a spy.  He was one of 12 children and had become a teacher.  He even had a class of women before the war broke out.  He signed up immediately. He was only 21 when he was hanged.

September 23, 1779 - John Paul Jones and his ship "The Bonhomme Richard" defeats the British man of war - Serapis.  Born in Scotland, he was the commander of the American Navy during the Revolutionary War.

September 24, 1789 - Congress passes the Judiciary Act of 1789 and establishes a federal court system. They outline its responsibilities and that there should be a chief justice and five associate justices.  Our first chief justice of the Supreme Court was John Jay who was appointed October 19, 1789.

September 25, 1789 - Congress proposes 12 amendments to the Constitution.  The first ten became known as the Bill of Rights and included - freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to not have their homes searched without a search warrant, right to a fair trial, right not to be tried twice for the same crime, the right of a fair bail. right of privacy.  These are the ones we are most familiar with.

September 26, 1777 - the British capture Philadelphia.

September 27, 1777 - the British troops occupy Philadelphia.  The occupation causes many patriots to stay hidden or be captured, imprisoned, or worse.  Neighbors turn on neighbors in hopes of gaining favor with soldiers who occupy their homes.

September 28, 1776 - Philadelphia adopts a Constitution and Bill of Rights which will be reviewed every 7 years to make sure it still works or has been violated.  It asks for a bicameral system.

September 29, 1776 - all shipments to Virginia are stopped when the British learn Lord Dunmore has abandoned the colony.  The colonists must rely on themselves for products they need or figure out a way to break any blockades by British ships.

September 30, 1787 - Incredible!  our new country is represented in a race around the world!  Robert Gray begins a voyage around the world flying the United States flag.  He helped establish a trade route for the young country.  The trip took him 3 years.

Now, to see what happened next - click on October