Category Archives: 1770s

British forces surrender at Saratoga, New York 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1777)


Video: 'Battle of Saratoga'

(Friday, October 17, 1777; following the Battles of Saratoga, part of the American Revolution) — British forces under General John Burgoyne surrendered to American troops today in Saratoga, New York, in a turning point of the American Revolutionary War. Continue reading British forces surrender at Saratoga, New York 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1777) →

British troops occupy Philadelphia during American Revolution 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 26 1777)


(Saturday, September 26, 1777; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — British troops marched into Philadelphia today and occupied the city, having forced the Second Continental Congress, meeting in the Pennsylvania State House (later called Independence Hall), to flee some days before. Continue reading British troops occupy Philadelphia during American Revolution 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 26 1777) →

Americans win Battle of Bennington 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1777)


Video: 'The Battle of Bennington Part I'

(Saturday, August 16, 1777, 3:00 p.m. local time; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — American forces won the Battle of Bennington today in Walloomsac, New York, about 10 miles from its namesake Bennington, Vermont, what was considered a turning point of the Revolutionary War. Continue reading Americans win Battle of Bennington 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1777) →

Stars and Stripes adopted by Congress as Flag of the United States 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1777)


Video: 'Today in History June 14, 1777 - Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes'

(Saturday, June 14, 1777; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, today adopted the original design of the Stars and Stripes, specifying a flag containing thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen stars. Continue reading Stars and Stripes adopted by Congress as Flag of the United States 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1777) →

Sybil Ludington, 16, rides 40 miles to alert American colonial forces 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 26 1777)


Video: 'Women's History Minute: Sybil Ludington'

(Saturday, April 26, 1777, 9:00 p.m. local time; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — 16-year-old Sybil Ludington, the eldest child of Col. Henry Ludington, a militia commander in Dutchess County, New York, rode her horse into the night tonight to alert her father’s men of the approach of British regular troops who were sacking Danbury, Connecticut. Continue reading Sybil Ludington, 16, rides 40 miles to alert American colonial forces 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 26 1777) →

Americans defeat British forces at Princeton 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1777)


Video: 'Battles of the American Revolution Battle of Princeton'

(Friday, January 3, 1777; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Army, commanded by General George Washington, defeated British forces today in The Battle of Princeton near Princeton, New Jersey. Continue reading Americans defeat British forces at Princeton 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1777) →

First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia 240 years ago today (Sep 5 1774)


Video: ‘The First Continental Congress September 5 October 26 1774’

(Monday, September 5, 1774; during the American Revolution) — The First Continental Congress, a convention of delegates from twelve colonies (Georgia was not present), met today at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, early in the American Revolution.

It was called in response to the passage of the Coercive Acts (also known as Intolerable Acts by the Colonial Americans) by the British Parliament.