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)

Historic Event

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

Nathan Hale
US Patriot and Soldier Nathan Hale
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

ExecutionNathan Hale

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

Nathan Hale
US Patriot and Soldier Nathan Hale


What Happened in 1776

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