US Military History Throughout The Years

Short bits of history you know and some you may not!

• A Fixer Upper: Sunday, July 2, 1775 – Weeks after being appointed as Commander in Chief of the army of the United Colonies, General George Washington arrived at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had been ordered by Congress to take charge of the Siege of Boston and arrived soon after the Patriot defeat at Bunker Hill. Upon inspection of the army he found it to be poorly equipped and undisciplined. He soon implemented reforms, suggested by Benjamin Franklin, which included imposing strict discipline and military drilling. He would struggle to maintain the fledging army and it would not be until the next March, with the help of Henry Knox, that he would force the British out of Boston.
• Presidential Coincidence: Tuesday, July 4, 1826 – Three former US Presidents have died on July 4th. All three were also Founding Fathers. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams would pass away in 1826 and James Monroe in 1831. The passing of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams also happened on the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the USA. Newspapers at the time were not lost to the strange coincidence. The New York Evening Post, founded by Alexander Hamilton, calling it a “coincidence that has no parallel”.
• Summoning Citizens: Monday, July 8, 1776 – The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia rings out from the State House, summoning citizens in the city. Colonel John Nixon would read aloud to the crowd for the first time in public the Declaration of Independence.
• Quasi-War: Saturday, July 7, 1798 – The USS Delaware captures the French privateer ship, La Croyable. This would be the first action of the Quasi-War between the US and France. The war is called “quasi” because war was never officially declared and it was almost entirely fought in waters across the world. The war in part began after the US refused to continue to pay debts incurred during the Revolutionary War, which was massively supported and funded by France. The US reasoned that since the French Monarchy and regime no longer existed, they did not have to pay. The Quasi-War would last till 1800, being brought to conclusion with the Convention of 1800.
• An Extra Ration: Wednesday, July 4, 1804 – Lewis and Clark, of the Corps of Discovery, would hold the first 4th of July celebrations west of the Mississippi. They would start the day with a shot from the bow gun on their boat and end it with one as well. An extra ration of whiskey was issued to the expeditions men as in celebration.
• The Bristol Fourth: Monday, July 4, 1785 – The Bristol Fourth of July Parade, in Rhode Island, is the longest continuously running 4th of July celebration. Festivities begin on Flag Day, 14 June, and reach their climax on 4 July. The parade held on Independence Day is the oldest annual parade in the US. The event has given the city of Bristol the nickname “America’s most patriotic town”. While the parade has been canceled several times, celebrations have been held on every 4th of July.

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