On This Day

What Happened in January 1776

Historical Events


Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 1 General George Washington hoists Continental Union Flag

First US President George Washington
First US President
George Washington
  • Jan 2 Austria ends the use of interrogation by torture
  • Jan 5 Assembly of New Hampshire adopts its 1st state constitution

Book releaseHistoric Publication

Jan 10 "Common Sense" Pamphlet by Thomas Paine published, advocating American independence

Voice of the American Revolution Thomas Paine
Voice of the American Revolution
Thomas Paine
  • Jan 16 Continental Congress approves enlistment of free blacks
  • Jan 18 James Wright, Royal Governor of Georgia, is placed under house arrest by Major Joseph Habersham
  • Jan 24 Henry Knox arrives at Cambridge, Massachusetts, with the artillery that he has transported from Fort Ticonderoga

Famous Birthdays

  • Jan 6 Ferdinand von Schill, Prussian officer & rebel, born in Bannewitz, Germany (d. 1809)
  • Jan 24 Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, German writer/judge/composer (Undine)


What Happened in 1776