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This day, Benjamin Franklin was born. He was really born on January 6, 1705/1706, but this date was for the Julian calander. Later in time, the colonies switched to the Gregorian calander, and Franklin chose to move his birthdate to fit the new calander.
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This day, Franklin established a "common-law marriage" with his wife Deborah Reed. Along with one of Franklin's illegitimate children, they had two children together.
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Francis Folger Franklin
Unfortunately, Franklin's son, Francis, died at the age of 4 because of smallpox. His tombstone reads: "The delight of all that knew him." This was a very tragic event that effected Franklin. -
Sarah Fraklin Bache
This is Franklin's daughter. She was a very influential person to Franklin and his life, obviously, because she was his daughter. -
There was supposed to be a lunar eclipse near Franklin. He couldn't see it because of an incoming storm from the southeast. The winds were blowing from the northeast. He and others had believed that they should go in the same direction. He discovered that they don't have to, which was a huge influence to meteorology.
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Franklin counducted the experiment this day. While in Philadelphia, he discovered and labeled charges as "positive" and "negative." He proved the lightning is electricity.
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This cartoon was first published in the Pennsylvania Gazette this day. It is a drawing that basically tells us that we need to join or else we'll die. Together, we have some kind of chance against Britain. But seperately, we have no chance.
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Cooling
Franklin observed that he is cooler in a wet shirt then a dry shirt. To further his conclusions, he went out on a warm day. He wetted a thermometer with ether and evaporated it. The temperature dropped more and more. A famous quote from his studies is: "one may see the possibility of freezing a man to death on a warm summer’s day." -
Pennsylvania
This marks the beginning of Franklin's political career. He was both preceded and succeeded by Isaac Norris. -
He was appointed as the first Postmaster General of the United States. This is similar to the CEO of USPS.
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Not only did he "help" Jefferson draft the declaration, but he was one of the people who signed this document.
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He was appointed as the first minister to France this date. This was also known as the ambassador.
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He was also appointed as the first Minister of Sweden. Now this is known as the Ambassador of Sweden.
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Franklin signed this treaty. It is what ended the American Revolution. It is what led to America being free.
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He was one of the people who signed the United States Constitution. He was the only Founding Father who has signed four of the major founding documents of the United States.
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Benjamin Franklin died today. He was 84 years old, which is very impresive for somebody in this time period.
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This memorial was created in honor of Franklin's memory. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a 20-foot memorial sculpted by James Earle Fraser.
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1996 100 Dollar Bill
This dollar is still used in the United States. Although it is uncommon in every day use, it is a high honor to have your picture for the highest amount of currency available for a country. Obviously, this bill is worth 100 United States Dollars. -
Among the other 46 people who got accepted into this hall of fame, Franklin was a big chess player. He was the first known chess player in the colonies. He has an essay that is called the "Morals of Chess."
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2011 100 Dollar Bill
Much like the 1996 series version, this bill is still used today. It is a very new bill, and is obviously worth 100 United States Dollars. The same portrait is used in the picture of him.
