January 3
January 3
The Battle of Princeton
In a stroke of strategic genius, General George Washington manages to evade conflict with General Charles Cornwallis, who had been dispatched to Trenton to bag the fox (Washington), and wins…
A Year In History: 1777
Also Within This Year in History:
1777
Though overshadowed by 1776, 1777 would be a momentous year for American patriots. Victory over British troops at the Battle of Saratoga became an early turning point in the war for independence. The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the new nation’s flag and the Articles of Confederation as its first constitution. The 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette arrived from France to join the fight. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal concluded a two-year conflict over their own colonies in the Americas.
January 6
January 6
George Washington sets up winter quarters in Morristown, NJ
After two significant victories over the British in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, General George Washington marches north to Morristown, New Jersey, where he set up winter headquarters for himself…
January 12
January 12
Hugh Mercer dies from wounds received in Battle of Princeton
On January 12, 1777, American Brigadier General Hugh Mercer dies from the seven bayonet wounds he received during the Battle of Princeton. Mercer’s military service ranged over two continents and…
January 15
January 15
Vermont declares independence from colony of New York
Having recognized the need for their territory to assert its independence from both Britain and New York and remove themselves from the war they were waging against each other, a…
January 28
January 28
British plan to isolate New England
John Burgoyne, poet, playwright and British general, submits an ill‑fated plan to the British government to isolate New England from the other colonies on January 28, 1777. Burgoyne’s plan revolved…
February 5
February 5
Georgia constitution abolishes primogeniture and entail
On February 5, 1777, Georgia formally adopts a new state constitution and becomes the first U.S. state to abolish the inheritance practices of primogeniture and entail. Primogeniture ensured that the…
February 19
February 19
Congress overlooks Benedict Arnold for promotion
On February 19, 1777, the Continental Congress votes to promote Thomas Mifflin, Arthur St. Clair, William Alexander, Lord Stirling, Adam Stephen and Benjamin Lincoln to the rank of major general.…
February 22
February 22
Archibald Bulloch dies under mysterious circumstances
On February 22, 1777, Revolutionary War leader and Georgia’s first Provisional Governor Archibald Bulloch dies under mysterious circumstances just hours after Georgia’s Council of Safety grants him the powers of…
March 7
March 7
Five letters pass between Abigail and John Adams
On March 7, 1777, Continental Congressman John Adams writes three letters to and receives two letters from his wife, Abigail. He is with Congress in Philadelphia, while she maintains their…
April 20
April 20
New York adopts state constitution
The first New York state constitution is formally adopted by the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York, meeting in the upstate town of Kingston, on April 20,…
April 26
April 26
British rampage Danbury, Connecticut
On April 26, 1777, British troops under the command of General William Tryon attack the town of Danbury, Connecticut, and begin destroying everything in sight. Facing little, if any, opposition…
May 16
May 16
Georgia Patriot Button Gwinnett is fatally wounded in duel
On May 16, 1777, British‑born Georgia Patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence Button Gwinnett receives a bullet wound in a duel with his political rival, Georgia city Whig…
May 23
May 23
Meigs Expedition claims Patriot victory on Long Island
At Sag Harbor, New York, Patriot troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs capture several British vessels and burn Redcoat supplies. With the help of two local…
June 13
June 13
Lafayette arrives in South Carolina to serve alongside General Washington
On June 13, 1777, a 19‑year‑old French aristocrat, Marie‑Joseph Paul Roch Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arrives in South Carolina with the intent to serve as General George…
June 14
June 14
Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes
June 14, 1777: During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white” and that…
July 30
July 30
New York’s first elected governor takes office
On July 30, 1777, Brigadier General George Clinton, takes office as the first elected governor of the independent state of New York. Clinton would go on to become New York’s…
July 31
July 31
Marquis de Lafayette becomes a major‑general without pay
On July 31, 1777, a 19‑year‑old French aristocrat, Marie‑Joseph Paul Roch Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, accepts a commission as a major‑general in the Continental Army—without pay. During…
September 1
September 1
Sam Mason survives attack on Fort Henry
On September 1, 1777, Samuel Mason, a Patriot captain in command of Fort Henry on the Ohio frontier, survives an attack on the fort by Native American allies of the…
September 3
September 3
The Stars and Stripes flies in battle for the first time
The American flag is said to have flown in battle for the first time, during a Revolutionary War skirmish at Cooch’s Bridge, Delaware. Patriot General William Maxwell ordered the stars…
September 11
September 11
The Battle of Brandywine begins
On September 11, 1777, General Sir William Howe and General Charles Cornwallis launch a full‑scale British attack on General George Washington and the Patriot outpost at Brandywine Creek near Chadds…
