Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Battle of Quebec

On this day in 1775,

Colonel Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery lead an American force in the siege of Quebec. The Americans hoped to capture the British-occupied city and with it win support for the American cause in Canada at The Battle of Quebec.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

The First State

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1787, Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the Constitution.
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Battle of Chestnut Hill, PA

On this day in 1777,

A vanguard of Gen. William Howe's army engages with a Patriot militia force at Chestnut Hill. After heavy firing from both sides, the militia withdraws from The Battle of Chestnut Hill, PA.
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Monday, December 5, 2011

Phi Beta Kappa

On this day in 1776,

In Williamsburg, Virginia, a group of five students at the College of William and Mary gather at Raleigh’s Tavern to found a new fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa. Intended to follow strictly American principles as opposed to those of “England or Germany,” the new society engaged in the fervent political debate typical of student life at Thomas Jefferson’s beloved college in Virginia’s capital.
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Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Battle of Rugeley's Mill, SC.

On this day in 1780,

Col. William Washington's dragoons surround a group of 100 Tory militia holed up in a stone barn. Having no cannon at all, he places a large log atop a cannon carriage and wheels to the barn threatening an attack. All 100 surrender at The Battle of Rugeley's Mill, SC.
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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Across the Delaware

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1776, Gen. George Washington writes to Congress from his headquarters in Trenton, NJ, to report that he had transported much of the Continental Army’s stores and baggage across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania.
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Friday, December 2, 2011

Lydia Darragh

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1777, legend has it that Philadelphia Quaker housewife and nurse Lydia Darragh single-handedly saves the lives of Gen. Washington and his Continental Army when she overhears the British planning a surprise attack on Washington’s army for the following day.
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