On this day in 1863, The Gettysburg Address was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the National Soldiers Cemetery in Gettysburg, PA. Lincoln traveled there to deliver “a few appropriate remarks” and instead, gave us some of the most powerful and beautiful words in US History. He urged the nation to never forget those who died so that we may remain free and how our rare form of “government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the Earth.” Please click on the link below to read the Gettysburg Address.

On this day in 1773, Richard Clarke’s home was approached by a mob. Clarke was a Loyalist and consignee of the East India Tea Company tea that was on its’ way to Boston at the time. There had been several requests for Clarke to resign his commission, which he would not do. Windows and shutters of the home were closed but some of the mob damaged the home and injured one or two of the family inside. Eventually, they dispersed. Mob violence in response to the Tea Act had reached the homes of the consignees. Violence and protest would continue in Boston, culminating in the Boston Tea Party on Dec. 16, 1773.

On this day in 1776, the British captured Ft. Washington in New York. This was a major victory for the British as the fort commanded high ground over the Hudson River and 2800 Continental soldiers were manning the fort. British General Sir William Howe attacked the fort and overtook the men inside. The men surrendered the fort but the Continental Army was able to live to fight another day as they moved across New Jersey in the Fall and Winter of 1776. Please click on the link below to learn more about this battle that gave the British army rule over the Hudson River.