On This Day

What Happened in October 1776

Historical Events

  • Oct 11 Brigadier-General Arnold's Lake Champlain fleet defeated by British during the Battle of Valcour Island (American Revolutionary War)
  • Oct 12 British Brigade begins guarding Throgg Necks Road in Bronx
  • Oct 18 In a bar decorated with bird tail in Elmsford, New York, a customer requests a glassful of “those cock tails” from bartender Betsy Flanagan
  • Oct 18 Battle of Pelham: Colonel John Glover & Marblehead regiment meet British Forces in Bronx

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Oct 18 Tadeusz Kościuszko receives a commission from US Congress as a colonel of engineers in the Continental Army

Military Leader and Statesman Tadeusz Kościuszko
Military Leader and Statesman
Tadeusz Kościuszko

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Oct 26 Benjamin Franklin departs for France on a mission to seek French support for the American Revolution

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

BattleBattle of Interest

Oct 28 Battle of White Plains: George Washington retreats to New Jersey

First US President George Washington
First US President
George Washington

Famous Weddings

  • Oct 7 Crown Prince Paul of Russia marries Sophie Marie Dorothea of Württemberg.

Famous Deaths

  • Oct 17 Pierre François le Courayer, French theologian (b. 1681)


What Happened in 1776