On this day in 1764, a heroine is born in Virginia. Susanna Bolling would go on to perform a little-known feat that helped George Washington’s army win the American Revolution. She’s been called the “Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War.”
Susanna was just 16 years old at the time.
She surely had no idea what was in store for her when British General Charles Cornwallis arrived at her family’s plantation during May 1781. Cornwallis demanded shelter, and he and his men stayed at the plantation overnight.
It was a scene that was repeated far too often in America’s fight for independence: British redcoats would arrive at a home, confronting mothers and daughters left behind as their husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers went to war. The Redcoats demanded shelter—or information about family members who had left to join the militia.
In this case, Cornwallis demanded food and a place for his men to stay. He must have gotten cocky because he spoke too freely in front of the Bolling women. He had big plans for the next day.
How did Susanna foil them? The story continues here:
https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-susanna-bolling
#TDIH #OTD #History #USHistory #liberty #freedom #ShareTheHistory
At about this time in 1918, a hero is born. Mitchell Paige would volunteer for the Marines on his 18th birthday—and he even walked 200 miles to Baltimore to do it.
He soon discovered that he didn’t technically weigh enough to join the Marines. Undeterred, he sat there, eating bananas and drinking water until he made himself heavy enough to pass muster.
That same determination would characterize his life in the Marine Corps.
The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-mitchell-paige
At about this time in 1968, a hero engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. When Nicky Daniel Bacon saw the large enemy force arrayed against him and his men, he threw up a quick prayer.
“God, this looks like the end,” he remembers thinking, “but don’t let me die like this. Let me go out there. Let me die like a man.”
He ultimately survived and believes that God saved him.
The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-nicky-bacon-moh
At about this time in 1851, the New York Yacht Club’s schooner, America, races and defeats fifteen yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Did the Americans forget that they were supposed to lose?!? The New York club was then still relatively new, whereas the British one was older and more prestigious.
Yet again, Americans began as the underdog—and emerged victorious!
That 1851 race laid the foundation for the international racing competition today known as the America’s Cup. In modern times, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by those striving to win, but that first race in 1851 set the stage for everything that was to follow.
The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-americas-cup
