Today in History

Month
Jan 1, 1735
Painting of a man holding a metal teapot.

Paul Revere, Patriot Lieutenant Colonel during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 1, 1745

Anthony Wayne, Patriot Major General during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 1, 1752

Betsy Ross, upholster and seamstress credited with designing the U.S. flag, was born

Jan 1, 1776
This is a map of the area around Norfolk, Virginia, 1775.

Burning of Norfolk, VA

Jan 1, 1863
Emancipation, drawing by Thomas Nast

The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect

Jan 2, 1777

Battle of the Assunpink Creek, also known as the Second Battle of Trenton

Jan 2, 1861
The Remnants of Fort Johnson

South Carolina troops seize Fort Johnson in Charleston Harbor

Jan 2, 1863

Battle of Stones River, fought from December 31 to January 2, ended

Jan 3, 1777
Painting depicting the American victory and death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton

Battle of Princeton

Jan 4, 1822
Portrait of Joseph Jones Reynolds

Joseph J. Reynolds, Union Major General during the Civil War, was born

Jan 4, 1830

Sir John Johnson, Patriot General during the American Revolution, died

Jan 5, 1779
Sketch of Zebulon Pike

Zebulon Pike, American Brigadier General during the War of 1812, was born

Jan 5, 1815

The Hartford Convention concludes

Jan 6, 1759
This is a family portrait of Martha, George, and two of their children.

Martha Dandridge Custis and George Washington marry at the White House Plantation in New Kent County, Virginia

Jan 7, 1718
Portrait of Israel Putnam

Israel Putnam, Patriot Major General during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 8, 1815
This is a portrait of Edward Pakenham.

Edward Pakenham, British Major General during the War of 1812, died

Jan 8, 1815

Battle of New Orleans

Jan 8, 1821
A black and white photograph of Confederate Gen. James Longstreet

James Longstreet, Confederate Lieutenant General during the Civil War, was born

Jan 8, 1914

Simon Bolivar Buckner, Confederate Lieutenant General during the Civil War, died

Jan 9, 1863
Photograph of a Civil War-era ship.

Battle of Arkansas Post, fought from January 9 to 11, started

Jan 10, 1776
Cover page to the pamphlet "Common Sense"

Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense”

Jan 10, 1862
Battlefield with a sign in the mid-ground.

Battle of Middle Creek

Jan 11, 1843
Portrait of Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key, lawyer and poet who wrote the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” died

Jan 11, 1863
Photograph of a Civil War-era ship.

Battle of Arkansas Post, fought from January 9 to 11, ended

Jan 12, 1777

Hugh Mercer, Patriot Brigadier General during the American Revolution, died

Jan 13, 1865
Capture of Fort Fisher - J.O. Davidson ; Facsimile print by L. Prang & Co.

Second Battle of Fort Fisher, fought from January 13 to 15, started

Jan 14, 1741
Sketch of Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold, Patriot traitor and eventually British Brigadier General during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 15, 1865
Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Kure Beach, N.C.

Second Battle of Fort Fisher, fought from January 13 to 15, ended

Jan 16, 1843
Photograph of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman disguised as a male soldier

Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, Union Private during the Civil War who served under the name Lyons Wakeman, was born

Jan 17, 1781
Image of painting by Don Troiani depicting the Battle of Cowpens

Battle of Cowpens

Jan 18, 1813
Illustration depicting violence with a cabin burning in the background

Battle of River Raisin, also known as the Battles of Frenchtown, fought from January 18 to 23, started

Jan 18, 1862
Portrait of President John Tyler

John Tyler, 10th President of the United States, died

Jan 19, 1862

Battle of Mill Springs, also known as Logan's Crossroads

Jan 20, 1862

Fighting at Moulden’s Hill

Jan 21, 1738
A sketched illustration of Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen, American Colonel during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 22, 1863

Union Major General Ambrose Burnside's "Mud March" ends in failure

Jan 23, 1813
Wooden. shelter with picnic table and benches beneath it at a park setting

Battle of River Raisin, also known as the Battles of Frenchtown, fought from January 18 to 23, ended

Jan 24, 1733
Portrait of Benjamin Lincoln

Benjamin Lincoln, American Major General during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 25, 1787
Shays' Rebellion

Daniel Shay and a force of 1,500 men confront American forces outside the Springfield Armory in Western Massachusetts

Jan 26, 1816

Lloyd Tilghman, Confederate Brigadier General during the Civil War, was born

Jan 27, 1778

American soldiers first occupied West Point, New York, on January 27, 1778

Jan 27, 1788
British Royal Governor William Tryon confronts the North Carolina Regulators in 1771.

William Tryon, Provincial Governor of North Carolina and New York, died

Jan 28, 1828

Thomas Carmichael Hindman, Confederate Major General during the Civil War, was born

Jan 29, 1756
Painting of Henry Lee

Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee III, Patriot Cavalry Commander and General during the American Revolution, was born

Jan 29, 1843
William McKinley - 25th President of the United States

William McKinely, 25th President of the United States, was born

Jan 30, 1797

John Glover, Patriot Brigadier General during the American Revolution, died

Jan 31, 1864
Fort Mulligan

Battle of Fort Mulligan

Month