On This Day

What Happened in September 1776

Historical Events

  • Sep 6 Hurricane hits Martinique; 100 French and Dutch ships sink; 600 die
  • Sep 6 1st (failed) submarine attack: David Bushnell's "Turtle" attacks British sailboat "Eagle" in Bay of NY
  • Sep 6 Hurricane hits Guadeloupe, killing more than 6,000.
  • Sep 9 Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Sep 10 George Washington asks for a spy volunteer, Nathan Hale volunteers

US Patriot and Soldier Nathan Hale
US Patriot and Soldier
Nathan Hale
First US President George Washington
First US President
George Washington
  • Sep 12 Nathan Hale leaves Harlem Heights Camp (127th St) for spy mission
  • Sep 15 British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
  • Sep 17 The Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain.
  • Sep 21 5 days after British take New York, a quarter of the city burns down
  • Sep 21 Nathan Hale, spied on British for American rebels, arrested
  • Sep 24 First St Leger horesrace held at Doncaster

Famous Birthdays

  • Sep 27 Maria Versfelt [Ida Saint-Elme], Dutch writer, stage actress, and mistress (General Moreau & Marshal Ney), born in Lith, Netherlands (d. 1845)

Famous Deaths


BattleNathan Hale

Sep 22 Nathan Hale, US captain/patriot/spy, hanged by the British for spying at 21

US Patriot and Soldier Nathan Hale
US Patriot and Soldier
Nathan Hale


What Happened in 1776

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