What Happened in September 1776

Historical Events

  • Sep 6 1st (failed) submarine attack: David Bushnell's "Turtle" attacks British sailboat "Eagle" in Bay of NY
  • Sep 6 Hurricane hits Guadeloupe, killing more than 6,000.
  • Sep 6 Hurricane hits Martinique; 100 French and Dutch ships sink; 600 die
  • Sep 9 Congress officially renames the country as the United States of America (from the United Colonies)
  • Sep 12 Nathan Hale leaves Harlem Heights Camp (127th St) for spy mission
  • Sep 15 British forces capture Kip's Bay, Manhattan, during Revolution
  • Sep 17 The Presidio of San Francisco is founded in New Spain.
  • Sep 21 5 days after British take New York, a quarter of the city burns down
  • Sep 21 Nathan Hale, American rebel spy is arrested by British militia in NYC
  • Sep 24 First St Leger horesrace held at Doncaster

Famous Birthdays

  • Sep 27 Maria Versfelt [Ida Saint-Elme], Dutch writer, stage actress, and mistress (General Moreau & Marshal Ney), born in Lith, Netherlands (d. 1845)

Famous Deaths

Nathan Hale (1755-1776)

Sep 22 American Revolutionary War patriot, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country", hanged by the British for spying at 21