At about this time in 1783, George Washington issues farewell orders to the troops that persevered with him through the Revolution.
Technically, this anniversary is tomorrow, but I thought the quote was timely: I'm sure many of you agree that we need this kind of divine intervention again next week.
Food for thought. Full-fledged stories resume on Monday.
On this day in 1803, the Tripolitans capture a stranded American vessel. Mere months later, Navy legend Stephen Decatur would set that same U.S. frigate ablaze. His action has been called the “most bold and daring act of the age.”
But why would a United States naval officer set an American ship ablaze?
The audacious stunt occurred during the First Barbary War, soon after USS Philadelphia ran into an uncharted reef on October 31, 1803. She was soon captured by the Tripolitans and was considered a valuable prize. Once repaired, she would be the Barbary states’ most powerful warship. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy had only one remaining ship as powerful as the one they’d lost: USS Constitution.
FULL STORY: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-burning-uss-philadelphia
On this day in 1748, Martha Wayles, future wife of Thomas Jefferson, is born.
Martha “Patty” Wayles Skelton Jefferson is a bit of a mystery! We don’t even have a portrait of her, although the attached silhouette is believed to be hers. Jefferson burned all of their correspondence after her death. By all accounts, though, the two were deeply in love.
Patty was a young and wealthy widow when the two married on New Year’s Day in 1772. Their first child was born 8 months and 26 days after their wedding. They named her Martha, and they called her “Patsy.” Mrs. Jefferson would have six total children over the course of her ten year marriage to Jefferson. Only two would live to adulthood.
The story continues here: http://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-martha-jefferson
On this day in 1960, a plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashes in Ohio. The tragedy was the first airline crash involving a United States sports team.
Amazingly, 26 people survived.
The Cal Poly team had been in Ohio to play a football game, of course. That game against Bowling Green hadn’t gone very well. Afterwards, the players just wanted to get home. Surely no one was happy about the dense fog that descended upon the area. Would Cal Poly’s chartered plane be able to take off?
The pilot entrusted with the decision, it was later discovered, was flying with a suspended license.
The story continues here: http://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-cal-poly-1960
