Today In History
5 Fun Facts About October 18 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1685, William Penn appointed Thomas Lloyd as the Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania. Lloyd served as Deputy Governor multiple times throughout his career and was instrumental in establishing the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. 2. On October 18, 1775, General Richard Montgomery and his troops began...
5 Fun Facts About October 17 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1777, the Battle of Saratoga ended with American victory, which is considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War. This victory also contributed to the support of French military intervention in the war, which greatly assisted the American cause. 2. On October 17, 1871, segregationist journalist James Jackson...
5 Fun Facts About October 16 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1758, the Forbes Expedition concluded its mission to capture Fort Duquesne in what is now Pittsburgh. Led by General John Forbes, the expedition helped secure western Pennsylvania for British control during the French and Indian War. 2. On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on...
5 Fun Facts About October 15 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment during a thunderstorm in Philadelphia. The experiment proved that lightning was a form of electricity, and led to the invention of lightning rods. 2. In 1783, George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland...
5 Fun Facts About October 14 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1643, the first Swedish settlers arrived in what is now the state of Pennsylvania, landing at Tinicum Island in the Delaware River. They established the colony of New Sweden and introduced several European farming techniques to the area. 2. On October 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, the...
5 Fun Facts About October 13 In Pennsylvania History
1. On October 13, 1775, the United States Navy was established. In Pennsylvania, there were several naval shipyards, including one in Philadelphia, which played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War. 2. On October 13, 1792, the cornerstone was laid for the first building of the University of Pennsylvania in...
5 Fun Facts About October 12 In Pennsylvania History
1. On October 12, 1793, the first cornerstone was laid for the Pennsylvania State House, which is now known as Independence Hall. This iconic building served as the location for the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the United States Constitution. 2. In 1843, the first...
5 Fun Facts About October 11 In Pennsylvania History
1. On October 11, 1777, General George Washington's troops engaged in the Battle of Germantown, a significant Revolutionary War conflict that took place in Philadelphia. 2. In 1809, on this day, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded in Philadelphia, which is still active today and works to promote gardening and...
5 Fun Facts About October 10 In Pennsylvania History
1. The first World Series game was played in Philadelphia on October 10, 1903. The Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-3, in front of a crowd of 16,242 fans. 2. On October 10, 1774, the First Continental Congress, a group of delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies...
5 Fun Facts About October 9 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1777, the Battle of Germantown took place in Pennsylvania during the American Revolutionary War. This battle was fought between the British Army and the Continental Army, led by General George Washington. Although the Americans suffered a defeat, they were able to inflict significant damage on the British Army....
5 Fun Facts About October 8 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1781, British soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, attacked Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. The fort, which was defended by American soldiers, held out for days before finally surrendering to the British. 2. In 1869, John A. Roebuck, a Pennsylvania businessman, patented a process...
5 Fun Facts About October 7 In Pennsylvania History
1. In 1777, General George Washington's army triumphantly marched through Philadelphia on October 7th, 1777 after winning the Battle of Germantown, a key engagement in the Revolutionary War. Though the battle was not a decisive victory for either side, it represented an important shift in momentum for the Continental Army...