On this day in 1793, the first successful balloon flight is made from American soil. Did you know that President George Washington was in the audience for the occasion? Washington had been interested in hot air balloons for years. “I have only news paper Accts of the Air Balloons,” he wrote a friend in 1784, “to which I do not know what credence to give; as the tales related of them are marvelous, & lead us to expect that our friends at Paris, in a little time, will come flyi

On this day in 1789, the first presidential electors are selected. Just a few weeks later, the Electoral College would elect George Washington as the nation’s first President. Perhaps you know that Washington’s election was unanimous, but do you know about the unusual decisions made by state legislatures that year? The states engaged in independent decision-making that seems strange to modern Americans. The founding generation, however, knew that it was all part and parcel of

On this day in 1776, General George Washington wins the Battle of Trenton. 1776 had been a difficult year. The victory provided a much-needed morale boost. As discussed in yesterday’s post , the beginning of December found Washington and British General William Howe on opposite sides of the Delaware River. As the weather deteriorated, Howe had decided to go into winter quarters. Washington, instead, decided to make a difficult crossing of the Delaware. His plan was to arrive

On this day in 1776, General George Washington makes a harrowing trip across the Delaware River, in the dead of night. The tremendous feat came just when it was needed most. Washington’s army was reeling from a series of crushing defeats: The British had won important battles in New York and had chased Americans across New Jersey. Early in December, a defeated American army had narrowly escaped across the Delaware River. That river provided a barrier from further British atta

On this day in 1783, General George Washington resigns his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the American army. Okay. So we’ve all heard this story about Washington before. We’ve heard it so often, perhaps it is easy to gloss over the astonishing nature of Washington’s action. Let me emphasize: What Washington did during this week 242 years ago is almost unheard of. Other military leaders have seized power and refused to let it go. But Washington would not be one of these m

On this day in 1783, George Washington says his final goodbye to a group of officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York. New York had served as the British headquarters throughout the long years of the American Revolution. It was the last city to be evacuated when the war was over! On November 25, however, the British finally left , and George Washington entered the city. Despite the celebrations and elaborate dinners that ensued over the course of the next week, the British hadn

At about this time in 1941, the fourth Thursday in November officially becomes a national holiday. You may know about modern Thanksgiving Day celebrations, but did you know that thanksgiving also played an important role in the American Revolution?   Indeed, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington fully supported public displays of gratitude as a vital part of a well-functioning army.   The events of October 1777 were a case in point. Americans won an

On this day in 1783, the British finally evacuate New York, which had been their headquarters during the American Revolution. Maybe you won’t be surprised to hear that the British took one last stab at insulting Americans before they left? They hoisted the Union Jack up a flagpole and greased the pole. The grease would make it difficult for Americans to switch out the flag for one of their own. A young sailor, John Van Arsdale, was undeterred. He put on some cleats and climbe

On this day in 1789, George Washington returns from his first presidential tour. Our first President thought it important to visit every part of the country during his time in office. Surely a visit from the much-loved President would help unify the country under its new government and its new Constitution. Washington left New York City on October 15, 1789, not too long after the first Congress adjourned on September 29. This first trip would weave its way through New Englan

On this day in 1781, George Washington’s stepson passes away. It had been less than three weeks since Washington’s victory over British General Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. What an odd mixture of emotions? Washington had been celebrating America’s miraculous victory after a long, brutal war. Now he was mourning the death of his only stepson. George Washington never had any children of his own. Historians speculate that an early case of smallpox, apparently followed by tub

On this day in 1781, George Washington’s aide-de-camp continues a multi-day ride from Yorktown to Philadelphia. You might know about Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, but do you know about Tench Tilghman’s? Paul Revere’s service earned him a poem, and he’s endured in American memory ever since. By contrast, Tilghman’s ride has gone mostly unnoticed—but the effort took so much out of him that he was sick for days afterwards. Tilghman didn’t mind. He’d been entrusted with the

On this day in 1796, George Washington bids the nation farewell. He was retiring from the presidency and making his last exit from public...

On this day in 1786, George Washington writes a letter on a difficult topic. His views on slavery had been changing for many years.  ...

On this day in 1755, a young George Washington becomes the “hero of the Monongahela.” Only one year earlier, he’d been given an early...

On this day in 1754, a young George Washington receives a message as he leads a Virginian regiment in an area near modern-day Pittsburgh....

On this day in 1802, Martha Washington passes away. Her family mourned her passing, but Martha herself was ready to go. She would finally...

During this month in 1789, Washington responds to a letter from the United Baptist Churches of Virginia. These Baptists were worried: Was...

On this day in 1782, General George Washington approves a plot to kidnap Prince William Henry, Son of King George III. Wait a minute....

On this day in 1777, George Washington wins the Battle of Princeton. It was the Americans’ second stunning victory in only 9 days! As you...

On this day in 1777, the “second battle of Trenton” occurs. Americans had won an astounding victory only one week earlier. Now, the...