1. On July 16, 1765, the Sons of Liberty formed in Wilmington, Delaware. This was a secret organization of American colonists who opposed the Stamp Act, a law that required all legal documents to carry an official stamp or seal to be considered valid. The Sons of Liberty played a crucial role in the American Revolution.
2. On July 16, 1836, the Delaware School for the Deaf opened in Wilmington. It was the first state-supported school for the deaf in the country.
3. On July 16, 1888, the first automobile race was held in Delaware. The race was organized by the Wilmington Automobile Club and was held on what is now known as Pennsylvania Avenue. The winner was a local man named Henry Wells who drove his steam-powered car to victory.
4. On July 16, 1945, the world's first nuclear explosion occurred in Alamogordo, New Mexico. While this event did not take place in Delaware, many scientists and experts involved in the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb, had ties to the state. This event marked a turning point in world history and had far-reaching consequences.
5. On July 16, 1969, a massive oil spill occurred off the coast of Delaware. The spill was caused by the collision of two tankers, the SS Atlantic Empress and the SS Golden Trader, and resulted in the release of over 88 million gallons of crude oil into the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster had a significant impact on the local environment and economy, and led to increased efforts to regulate shipping and prevent future spills.
5 Fun Facts About July 16 In Delaware History
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