Hoffman's Historical Facts - July

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MRS. HOFFMAN'S HODGEPODGE OF HISTORICAL FACTS


The overload of historical facts has given rise to a multitude of pages for these facts. This will allow the researcher to go to a particular month to find facts. For research purposes - my facts are from such a long extensive list of books, sites, applications, etc, that it would difficult to list them all.  I pick a fact based on what interested me that day when I wrote it down.

Also, please be aware that some months have no facts yet.  That is because this blog was created in May of 2011, so several months do not have facts yet. They will be under construction until I reach that month.



Disclaimer - please keep in mind these facts are not listed in chronological order.  Just as the page states - it is a hodgepodge of American History Facts

Think of this as a treasure hunt.  You never know what delightful fact you might learn that day.

Enjoy

Mrs. Hoffman

July 1, 2012 - The first public library is established in the United States by Benjamin Franklin.  Only the very wealthy could afford to purchase books.  In 1731, Benjamin Franklin and a group of other men (members of a philosophical society) formed the library.  There were 50 subscribers who all invested 40 shillings to buy books.  Many of the men donated books from their personal collections for this "public" library.

July 2, 2012 - Vermont was the first territory to abolish slavery in 1777.  It did not become a state until 1791.  A few facts about Vermont - it is only 9,615 square miles in area.  The state nickname is the Green Mountain State.

July 3, 2012 - I used to think Pickett's Charge was a place where a battle was fought.  Upon doing some research, I learned it was the name of a Confederate general - George Pickett.  He led a charge down the center of the Union forces during the Battle of Gettysburg.  The actual location was Cemetery Ridge.  This failed attempt, though valiant, signaled the beginning of the end for the Confederate Army.

July 4, 2012 - Who was Richard Henry Lee and what does he have to do with the Declaration of Independence?  He wrote the Lee Resolution which was also known as the resolution of independence.  He proposed it after receiving instructions from Edmund Pendleton, the president of the Virginia Convention.  It was this resolution that the Declaration of Independence was based upon.  "Resolved, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." (He was also the great uncle of Robert E. Lee)

July 5, 2011 - I was just reading about John Hancock's large signature.  Rumors have stated he wrote it so big so King George could read it without his glasses, but a recent article states he was just the first person to write his name.  He did not know everyone else was going to write smaller.  The other signers apparently signed in groups, depending on their "states".  I don't know how true it is, but I wanted to add it to our post.  Talk to you soon.

July 6, 2012 - John Paul Jones, often called the Father of the American Navy, is known for saying "I have not yet begun to fight".

July 7, 2012 - Did you know the first American passports were actually stated during the American Revolution?  Benjamin Franklin came up with the design while he was ambassador to France and used the French passport as his guide.  The actual first American passport was handed out in 1796 but other versions were used by the 13 colonies during the American Revolution.

July 8, 2012 - Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton fight in a duel.  Hamilton is wounded and dies several days later.  Aaron Burr was the Vice President at the time and Hamilton was the Secretary of the Treasury.  The fight actually started years before during Hamilton helped the House of Representatives help elect Jefferson over Burr during the election of 1800.

July 9, 2012 - Have you ever wondered who the Verazzano Bridge in New York is named after?  Verazzano was an explorer who discovered New York Harbor in 1524.

July 10, 2012 - In 1556, Saint Augustine was built.  Ponce de Leon landed in the area and claimed it for Spain.  It was the oldest European colony in North America at the time.

July 11, 2012 - In 1660, the Navigation Acts were adopted.  This meant all cargo leaving the colonies could only be sent on British ships and could only go to Britain.  Great Britain used this act as a way to control the colonies and keep the money coming in as well as goods only being sent to them.  This did not allow the colonies to participate in free trade.

July 12, 2012 - In the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the United States seizes the Northwest region from the Indians who were defeated.

July 13, 2012 - John Cabot landed in North America in `497.  He was from Genoa, Italy.  He landed along the Labrador Coast and claimed the land for Great Britain.

July 14, 2011 - Did you know that Ben Franklin had a weekly mail run from Philadelphia to Boston? He was so efficient, or on time, that people counted on the post office for mail delivery.  Word spread more quickly after 1750.  Word of fighting against the king could move faster than ever imagined.  If not for Ben Franklin and his post office, our country could not have united as quickly as it did and fight the British winning our independence.  How's that for a bit of trivia?

July 15, 2012 - The House of Burgesses is started in the colonies in 1619.  They are designed to be like the House of Commons in Parliament.  All decisions had to be okayed by the Virginia Company of London.

July 16, 2012 - Over 843 acres of land is set aside on the island of Manhattan to create Central Park.

July 17, 2012 - The first automobile was sold in 1903 by Henry Ford.  Check out the pages on Edison and Ford if you want to know more about this amazing inventor who changed the way we travel.

July 18, 2012 - The Battle of Saratoga, during the Revolutionary War, occurs in 1777.  The Patriots defeat the British and finally feel that the war might be theirs to win.

July 19, 2012 - In the year 1781, the Articles of Confederation were ratified.  The articles were the documents the colonies signed to declare themselves an independent country, separate from Great Britain.  To be ratified means to accept them.  All 13 colonies needed to ratify, or accept the articles in order for them to be law in the new country.

July 20, 2012 - In 1789 the first Congress met in Albany, New York.  You're probably saying - Albany? How did that happen?  Didn't Congress meet in Philadelphia?  They met in Federal Hall and one of the most important actions was the passing of the Bill of Rights.

July 21, 2012 - In the War of 1812, the United States was opposed to British intervention when it came to westward expansion. The British continued to cause trouble at sea, taking American sailors from their ships and forcing them into conscription for their navy.

July 22, 2012 - In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty  happens.  This gives the US Florida from Spain.

July 23, 2011 - Only 8 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence also signed the Constitution.  If you are like me, I bet you thought the same people signed both documents.

July 24, 2012 - In 1824, the interstate commerce is regulated by the Supreme Court in the case - Gibbons vs.Ogden. This case stated Congress had the right to regulate interstate commerce.  Some states were giving sole rights to specific steamboat lines at the time creating a monopoly. Gibbons felt the monopoly violated federal law.  The Supreme Court agreed with him.

July 25, 2012 - In 1834 the Whig Party is formed.  It was similar to the Whig Party in Parliament in England.  The Whig Party lasted until 1860.

July 26, 2012 - In 1836, the Texas Army goes against the Mexican Army in the Battle of San Jacinto.  Seven hundred Mexican soldiers die and only 9 Americans died.

July 27, 2012 - In 1846, the Mexican American War broke out.  The United States wanted California and the rest of the southwest.

July 28, 2012 - The Oregon Treaty makes the border between Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel.  The United States gains possession of Oregon.

July 29, 2012 - The Homestead Act gave 160 acres to anyone who settled and cultivated the land for five years.  The Homestead Act was enacted in 1862 in hopes of revitalizing the nation during the roughest time in our nation's history - the American Civil War.

July 30, 2012 - In 1867, Alaska is purchased from Russia for only $7.2 million.

July 31, 2012 - In 1882, Rockefeller starts Standard Oil Trust.  They monopolize 90% of oil refinery and sales in the United States.  Rockefeller becomes one of the richest men in the country.