-
On July 4, the Continental Congress ratifies the Declaration of Independence. It declares: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -
David Bushnell invented it to surprise attack the British ships blockading New York during the American Revolutionary War. -
Benjamin Franklin invented the "double spectacles" to avoid having to switch glasses to see far and near. -
The Constitutional Convention convened at the Philadelphia State House (Independence Hall) in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. After some debate, the convention decided to instead frame an entirely new government, which would include an executive, judiciary, and legislature comprised of two houses. The Convention approved the Constitution on September 17, 1787. -
Fifth Act of the First Congress created a field organization of collectors to regulate goods imported to the United States. -
Congress formally established the federal judiciary branch. -
Protestant religious revival in the United States from about 1795 to 1835. During this revival, meetings were held in small towns and large cities throughout the country, and the unique frontier institution known as the camp meeting began. -
It established the permanent seat of the United States government along the Potomac River, and named Washington, D.C. as the capital. -
Eli Whitney received a patent for the cotton Gin. This invention caused slavery to increase. -
Fredrick Douglas was born a slave that escaped 20 years later. He published a book about his journey.