Ben Franklin becomes the first Postmaster General   On this day in history, July 26, 1774, Ben Franklin becomes the first Postmaster General of the United States. As tensions with Great Britain came to the breaking point, British authorities began using the colonial postal service as a weapon by monitoring

General Henry Knox is born   On this day in history, July 25, 1750, General Henry Knox is born. Knox was one of George Washington’s key leaders over the Continental Army and one of his most trusted advisers. Henry Knox was born in Massachusetts and was a member of the

Charles Thomson resigns as Secretary of Congress   On this day in history, July 24, 1789, Charles Thomson resigns as Secretary of Congress. Charles Thomson is a little known, but important Founding Father from Pennsylvania. He served as the longtime secretary of the Continental Congress for its entire 15 years

Roger Sherman dies   On this day in history, July 23, 1793, Roger Sherman dies. Sherman was undoubtedly one of the most influential Founding Fathers, even though he is little known today. Sherman was the only Founder to sign all four important founding documents, including the Articles of Association (1774),

  Minutemen defeated at the Battle of Minisink   On this day in history, July 22, 1779, the Minutemen are defeated at the Battle of Minisink, one of the bloodiest battles per capita of the American Revolution. 1779 saw the launching of the Sullivan Expedition, an expedition led by General

General Wayne loses the Battle of Bull’s Ferry   On this day in history, July 21, 1780, General Wayne loses the Battle of Bull’s Ferry. Bull’s Ferry was a ferry on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River in the vicinity of modern-day West New York and North Bergen.

Patriots destroy the Boston Lighthouse   On this day in history, July 20, 1775, patriots destroy the Boston Lighthouse. Boston’s lighthouse, also called Boston Light, is a still standing structure that was the first lighthouse ever built in what would become the United States.   Boston Light was built on

Brigadier General Jacob Bayley is born   On this day in history, July 19, 1726, Brigadier General Jacob Bayley is born. Bayley was a farmer, soldier and local politician from Newbury, Vermont. Bayley was born in Massachusetts, but eventually migrated to northern New Hampshire. At that time, the territory now

Captain John Paul Jones dies   On this day in history, July 18, 1792, Captain John Paul Jones dies. John Paul Jones was America’s first naval hero for his exploits during the American Revolution. He was born in Scotland and began working as a sailor at the age of 13.

The Battle of Quinby Bridge and Shubrick’s Plantation   On this day in history, July 17, 1781, the Battle of Quinby Bridge and Shubrick’s Plantation gives the British temporary relief as they fall back to Charleston  after losing control of the interior of South Carolina and Georgia.   In the