What Happened in July 1775

Historical Events

  • Jul 3 George Washington takes command of Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • Jul 5 Second Continental Congress drafts the Olive Branch Petition to King George III
  • Jul 6 Congress issues "Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking up Arms", listing grievances but denying intent to be independent

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jul 10 Horatio Gates issues order excluding blacks from Continental Army

Military Leader Horatio Gates
Military Leader
Horatio Gates
  • Jul 17 1st military hospital approved

Historic PublicationMagna Carta

Jul 25 Maryland issues currency depicting George III trampling Magna Carta
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The Magna Carta, written in iron gall ink on parchment in medieval Latin
The Magna Carta, written in iron gall ink on parchment in medieval Latin

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jul 26 US Continental Congress creates United States Post Office (U.S.P.O.) in Philadelphia under Benjamin Franklin

United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin
United States Founding Father
Benjamin Franklin

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jul 30 Captain James Cook with Resolution returns to England

Explorer James Cook
Explorer
James Cook

Famous Birthdays

  • Jul 5 William Crotch, English composer, born in Norwich, Norfolk, England (d. 1847)
  • Jul 9 Matthew Lewis, English novelist (The Monk), born in London (d. 1818)
  • Jul 17 August Harder, German composer, born in Schönerstädt (d. 1813)
  • Jul 23 Étienne-Louis Malus, French physicist (Polarization of light), born in Paris (d. 1812)
  • Jul 24 Eugène François Vidocq, French criminal and police detective, born in Arras, France (d. 1857)
  • Jul 25 Anna Symmes Harrison, 9th 1st lady (1841), born in Morristown, New Jersey (d. 1864)

Famous Deaths

  • Jul 3 Colonel Thomas Gardner, American heroic political figure and soldier, dies at 51
  • Jul 11 Simon Boerum, American Continental Congressman (b. 1724)