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58-786: A Great Jubilee Day , first organized May 26, 1783 in North Stratford, now Trumbull, Connecticut , celebrated the end of major fighting in the American Revolutionary War . Bennington Battle Day is a state holiday unique to Vermont which commemorates the American victory at the Battle of Bennington (which actually took place in New York ) during the Revolutionary War in 1777. The holiday's date

116-406: A quorum to choose a successor. Out of a sense of duty, Hanson remained in office, although his term as a delegate to Congress was nearly expired. The Maryland Assembly re-elected him as a delegate on November 28, 1781, and so Hanson continued to serve as president until November 4, 1782. The Articles of Confederation stipulated that presidents of Congress serve one-year terms, and Hanson became

174-416: A 1940 genealogical study sometimes listed his birth date as April 13 or his year of birth as 1715. Hanson was born on a plantation called "Mulberry Grove" into a wealthy and prominent family. The Hanson Family was of English descent. His parents were Samuel (c. 1685–1740) and Elizabeth (Storey) Hanson (c. 1688–1764). Samuel Hanson was a planter who owned more than 1,000 acres (4.0 km ), and held

232-519: A Royal Navy force of nine warships as it attempted to capture Charleston. After a nine-hour battle, the ships were forced to retire. Charleston remained in Patriot hands, and the fort was named in honor of its commander, General William Moultrie . Charleston would remain in Patriot hands until a British expedition captured the city after a brief siege. The Liberty Flag designed by Colonel William Moultrie and waved by Sergeant William Jasper to rally

290-489: A new session of Congress was scheduled to begin. It was in that session that Hanson began to serve his one-year term. A highlight of Hanson's term was when George Washington presented Cornwallis's sword to Congress. Hanson retired from public office after his one-year term as president of Congress. In poor health, he died on November 15, 1783, while visiting Oxon Hill Manor in Prince George's County, Maryland ,

348-501: A special meeting assembled in North Stratford on November 10, 1777, he was appointed to a committee to provide immediately all those necessaries for the Continental Army soldiers. On March 12, 1778, the parish of North Stratford made donations of provisions for those residents serving in the southern army stationed at Valley Forge , Pennsylvania, under the command of General George Washington . Mr. Stephen Middlebrook donated

406-495: A variety of political offices, including serving two terms in the Maryland General Assembly . Hanson's grandfather, also named John, came to Charles County, Maryland, as an indentured servant around 1661. In 1876, a writer named George Hanson placed Hanson in his family tree of Swedish-Americans descended from four Swedish brothers who emigrated to New Sweden in 1642. This story was often repeated over

464-683: Is currently located on the 2nd floor of the Senate connecting corridor. Small versions of these two statues ( maquettes ) sit on the president's desk in the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House. Some historians have questioned the appropriateness of Hanson's selection for the honor of representing Maryland in Statuary Hall. According to historian Gregory Stiverson, Hanson was not one of Maryland's foremost leaders of

522-650: Is declared to be 'Carolina Day' in South Carolina." Founder's Day originated from a proclamation by the United States Continental Congress on October 11, 1782, in response to Great Britain's expected acceptance of its defeat in the American Revolutionary War . The war did not formally end until Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784. The purpose of the proclamation was to thank God for America's good fortune in

580-521: Is fixed and occurs on August 16 every year. In Bennington, there is a battle reenactment put on by the local history foundation. This may be the only state holiday in the US that commemorates an event that did not even happen in the state. The Battle of Bennington is named as such because the battle was over weapons and munitions stored where the Bennington Battle monument now stands. This site

638-564: Is located in what is now referred to as Old Bennington. Carolina Day is set aside to commemorate the first decisive victory of the American Revolutionary War in South Carolina . On June 28, 1776, a small band of South Carolina Patriots repulsed a Royal Navy attack in the Battle of Sullivan's Island . Patriots stationed at an unfinished palmetto log and sand fort near what is today Fort Moultrie defeated

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696-639: Is named the John Hanson Highway in his honor. There are also middle schools located in Oxon Hill, Maryland , and Waldorf, Maryland , named after him. A former savings bank named for him was merged in the 1990s with Industrial Bank of Washington, D.C. In the 1970s, a descendant of Hanson, John Hanson Briscoe, served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates , which passed "a measure establishing April 14 as John Hanson Day." In 2009,

754-682: The Boston Port Act . In 1775, he was a delegate to the Maryland Convention , an extralegal body convened after the colonial assembly had been prorogued . With the other delegates, he signed the Association of Freemen on July 26, 1775, which expressed hope for reconciliation with Great Britain but also called for military resistance to the enforcement of the Coercive Acts . With hostilities underway, Hanson chaired

812-572: The Daughters of the American Revolution , wreath-laying at several gravesites in the area, and reenactments of the battle and subsequent surrender. A Great Jubilee Day A Great Jubilee Day , first held on Monday May 26, 1783, in North Stratford, now Trumbull, Connecticut , commemorated the end of fighting in the American Revolutionary War . This celebration included feasting, prayer, speeches, toasts, and two companies of

870-469: The "first President of the United States". Regarding the opinion, historian Ralph Levering stated: "They're not biographies by professional historians; they aren't based on research into primary sources." According to historian Richard B. Morris , if a president of Congress were to be called the first president of the United States, "a stronger case could be made for Peyton Randolph of Virginia,

928-544: The Articles, but according to historian Ralph Levering, there is no documentary evidence of Hanson's opinions or actions in resolving the controversy. In 1782, Hanson proclaimed on behalf of the Continental Congress for a day of "Solemn Thanksgiving" . On November 5, 1781, Congress elected Hanson as its president. Under the Articles of Confederation, both legislative and executive government were vested in

986-551: The Congress (as it was and still is in Britain); the presidency of Congress was a mostly ceremonial position, but the office did require Hanson to serve as neutral discussion moderator , handle official correspondence, and sign documents. Hanson found the work tedious and considered resigning after just one week, citing his poor health and family responsibilities. Colleagues urged him to remain because Congress at that moment lacked

1044-676: The Continental Congress before ratification. Some Hanson descendants and biographers have falsely claimed that he was actually the first holder of the office of President of the United States , an unrelated executive position created in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States . Hanson was born in Port Tobacco Parish in Charles County in the Province of Maryland on April 14, 1721. Sources published prior to

1102-677: The Foot Guard decided overwhelmingly to go. With the blessing of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards they confronted the selectmen, who were meeting at a Beer's Tavern, and demanded access to the powder house. "You may tell the selectmen," Arnold reportedly said, "that if the keys are not coming within five minutes, my men will break into the supply-house and help themselves. None but the Almighty God shall prevent me from marching." The keys were reluctantly handed over, and supplies and arms were taken for

1160-572: The Frederick County Committee of Observation , part of the Patriot organization that assumed control of local governance. Responsible for recruiting and arming soldiers, Hanson proved to be an excellent organizer, and Frederick County sent the first southern troops to join George Washington 's army. Because funds were scarce, Hanson frequently paid soldiers and others with his own money. In June 1776, Hanson chaired

1218-692: The Frederick County meeting that urged provincial leaders in Annapolis to instruct Maryland's delegates in the Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain. While Congress worked on the Declaration of Independence , Hanson was in Frederick County "making gunlocks, storing powder, guarding prisoners, raising money and troops, dealing with Tories, and doing the myriad other tasks which went with being chairman of

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1276-537: The General Assembly, sold his land in Charles County, and moved to Frederick County in western Maryland . There he held a variety of offices, including deputy surveyor, sheriff, and county treasurer. When relations between Great Britain and the colonies became a crisis in 1774, Hanson became one of Frederick County's leading Patriots . He chaired a town meeting that passed a resolution opposing

1334-602: The Green (the same church where Arnold's wife was later buried in the cellar cemetery), members of the unit march across the Green to City Hall, where the current commander of the company playing Arnold demands the keys to the powder house from the current mayor of New Haven, who plays his Revolutionary predecessor. Despite his later deeds, Benedict Arnold is still considered an unnamed hero in Connecticut, though no memorial to him

1392-553: The Maryland legislature decided in January 1781 to ratify the Articles. When Congress received notice of this, Hanson joined Daniel Carroll in signing the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Maryland on March 1, 1781. With Maryland's endorsement, the Articles officially went into effect. Many years later, some Hanson biographers claimed that Hanson had been instrumental in arranging the compromise and thus securing ratification of

1450-469: The North Stratford militia performing maneuvers with cannon discharges and was one of the first documented celebrations following the War for Independence and continued as Decoration Day and today as Memorial Day with prayer services and a parade. Monday the 26th day of May 1783 the inhabitants of North Stratford set apart as a day of public rejoicing for the late publication of peace. At one o'clock, PM,

1508-547: The Revolutionary War. This did not form the basis for Thanksgiving Day as it is known presently in the United States. Congressional and presidential declarations named several days of thanks each year throughout the Revolutionary War period and after. This particular day of thanks falls on November 28. By the United States in Congress assembled. PROCLAMATION.*** IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD,

1566-473: The Revolutionary era. In 1975, historian Ralph Levering said that "Hanson shouldn't have been one of the two Marylanders" chosen, but he wrote that Hanson "probably contributed as much as any other Marylander to the success of the American Revolution". In the 21st century, Maryland lawmakers have considered replacing Hanson's statue in Statuary Hall with one of Harriet Tubman . The idea that Hanson

1624-691: The United States. Thomas became the "driving force" behind the selection of Hanson as one of the two people who would represent Maryland in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C. Hanson was not initially on the shortlist for consideration, but he was chosen after lobbying by the Maryland Historical Society . In 1903, bronze statues of Hanson and Charles Carroll by sculptor Richard E. Brooks were added to Statuary Hall; Hanson's

1682-473: The artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding

1740-474: The articles, he was elected President of the Confederation Congress —a mostly ceremonial and clerical position, sometimes styled President of the United States in Congress assembled —by his fellow delegates. He was not the first person to hold the office. Samuel Huntington and Thomas McKean had each preceded him under the Articles of Confederation, as had five other men as President of

1798-416: The battle). The anniversary became known as Carolina Day for the first time in 1875. The anniversary remained popular until the mid-20th century but eventually fell out of favor. Regardless, the day continued to be marked by the tradition of playing the tune of " Three Blind Mice " at noon at St. Michael's Episcopal Church (Charleston, South Carolina) . In 1995, Charleston historical groups helped reinvigorate

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1856-431: The celebration of Carolina Day to help raise awareness of South Carolina's and Charleston's role in the Revolutionary War. While the holiday has not regained the popularity it once enjoyed, it remains an official holiday in South Carolina, although not marked by office closings. According to South Carolina Code Ann. sec. 53-3-140, "June twenty-eighth of each year, the anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island in 1776,

1914-647: The committee of observation". Hanson was elected to the newly reformed Maryland House of Delegates in 1777, the first of five annual terms. In December 1779, the House of Delegates named Hanson as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress ; he began serving in Congress in Philadelphia in June 1780. "Hanson came to Philadelphia with the reputation of having been the leading financier of

1972-436: The committee who were appointed to wait on them supplied their table with necessaries for refreshments. In the meantime the two companies of militia being drawn up performed many maneuvers, and firing by platoons, general volleys and street firing, and the artillery discharging their cannon between each volley with much regularity and accuracy. After which a stage was prepared in the center and the following toasts were given: At

2030-536: The eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh. John Hanson , President. Charles Thomson , Secretary. Halifax Day occurs on April 12 in Halifax , North Carolina . It celebrates the Halifax Resolves (which was the first official call for independence from Britain by any of its colonies ) when it

2088-727: The end of each toast a cannon was discharged. The whole was conducted with the greatest decency and every mind seemed to show satisfaction. The Connecticut general assembly named Robert Hawley the Ensign of the North Stratford Train Band or Company of the 4th regiment of the Connecticut Colony militia in October 1765. He was promoted to Lieutenant in October 1769, and ultimately to captain in May 1773. At

2146-509: The first man to be elected as president of Congress after the ratification of the Articles. He declined the office, however, perhaps to make himself available for North Carolina's gubernatorial election. After Johnston turned down the office, Thomas McKean was elected. McKean served just a few months, resigning in October 1781 after hearing news of the British surrender at Yorktown . Congress asked him to remain in office until November, when

2204-499: The first president of the first and second Continental Congresses, or for John Hancock , the president of Congress when that body declared its independence." The claim that Hanson was a forgotten president of the United States was revived on the Internet, sometimes with a new assertion that he was actually a black man; an anachronistic photograph of Senator John Hanson of Liberia has been used to support this claim. In 1972, Hanson

2262-477: The first to do so. Contrary to the claims of some of his later advocates, however, he was not the first president to serve under the Articles nor the first to be elected under the Articles. When the Articles went into effect in March 1781, Congress did not bother to elect a new president; instead, Samuel Huntington continued serving a term that had already exceeded a year. On July 9, 1781, Samuel Johnston became

2320-402: The giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore, the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of

2378-421: The important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding

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2436-694: The keys to the powder house to arm themselves and begin the march to Cambridge, Massachusetts , marking the entry of New Haven into the American Revolution . When news of the Battle of Lexington reached New Haven, Connecticut, on April 21, 1775, the Second Company of the Governor's Guard voted to assist their fellow Massachusetts patriots. Although the New Haven town meeting had voted the day before not to send aid to Massachusetts,

2494-517: The march to Cambridge. On July 2, 1775, members of the Foot Guard escorted General George Washington to Cambridge after his overnight stay in New Haven on his way to Boston to take command of the forces around the Greater Boston area. The 2nd Company, Governor's Foot Guard stages an annual recreation of the events on a Saturday in April. After a memorial service at New Haven's Center Church on

2552-443: The next century, but scholarly research in the late 20th century showed that Hanson was not related to those Swedish-American Hansons. Little is known about Hanson's early life; he was presumably privately tutored as was customary among the wealthy of his time and place. He followed his father's path as a planter, slave owner, and public official. He was often referred to as John Hanson, Jr. , to distinguish him from an older man of

2610-480: The observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness. Done in Congress, at Philadelphia,

2668-549: The people being convened at the meeting house, public worship was opened by singing. The Reverend James Beebe said a prayer well adapted and suitable for the occasion. They all sang a Psalm. Mr. David Lewis Beebe, a student at Yale College, made an oration with great propriety. The congregation then sung an anthem. The Reverend Beebe, then requested the Ladies to take their seats prepared on an eminence for their reception when they walked in procession, and upwards of 300 being seated

2726-406: The plantation of his nephew Thomas Hawkins Hanson . He was buried there. Hanson owned at least 223 acres of land and 11 slaves at the time of his death. About 1744, he married Jane Contee (1728–1812), daughter of Alexander Contee (1692–1740). They had eight children, including: In 1898, Douglas H. Thomas, a descendant of Hanson, wrote a biography promoting Hanson as the first true President of

2784-650: The power of the proprietary governors at the expense of the popularly elected lower house. He was a leading opponent of the 1765 Stamp Act , chairing the committee that drafted the instructions for Maryland's delegates to the Stamp Act Congress . In protest of the Townshend Acts , in 1769 Hanson was one of the signers of a non-importation resolution that boycotted British imports until the acts were repealed. Hanson changed course in 1769, apparently to better pursue his business interests. He resigned from

2842-408: The revolution in western Maryland, and soon he was a member of several committees dealing with finance." When Hanson was elected to Congress, Maryland was holding up the ratification of the Articles of Confederation. The state, which did not have any claims on western land, refused to ratify the Articles until the other states had ceded their western land claims. When the other states finally did so,

2900-507: The same name. Hanson's career in public service began in 1750, when he was appointed sheriff of Charles County. In 1757, he was elected to represent Charles County in the lower house of the Maryland General Assembly, where he served for twelve years, sitting on many important committees. Maryland was a proprietary colony , and Hanson aligned himself with the "popular" or "country" party, which opposed any expansion of

2958-530: The sum of seven pounds (money), three shillings and ten pence to transport the almost two hundred pounds of provisions. George Washington called Connecticut the Provision State because of supplies contributed to his army by Governor Jonathan Trumbull the only Colonial Governor to support the cause of America's Independence from Great Britain. John Hanson John Hanson (April 14 [ O.S. April 3] 1721 – November 15, 1783)

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3016-462: The troops during that battle became the basis for the Flag of South Carolina , bearing on it an image of the palmetto tree that was used to build the fortress. The anniversary of the victory was celebrated locally starting in 1777 when it was known as Palmetto Day or Sergeant Jasper's Day. (The latter name referred to a colonial soldier who had rushed into the fight to save the fallen battle flag during

3074-690: The use of historic weapons during the Halifax Day events. Massacre Day was a holiday in Boston, Massachusetts , from 1771 to 1783. It was held on March 5, the anniversary of the 1770 Boston Massacre . Powder House Day in New Haven, Connecticut , is celebrated annually to commemorate the events of April 22, 1775, when the Governor's Foot Guard , under Captain Benedict Arnold , demanded

3132-583: Was an American Founding Father , merchant, and politician from Maryland during the Revolutionary Era . In 1779, Hanson was elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress after serving in a variety of roles for the Patriot cause in Maryland. He signed the Articles of Confederation in 1781 after Maryland joined the other states in ratifying them. In November 1781, following ratification of

3190-413: Was depicted on a 6-cent U.S. postal card , which featured his name and portrait next to the word "Patriot". Historian Irving Brant criticized the selection of Hanson for the card, arguing that it was a result of the "old hoax" promoting Hanson as the first president of the United States. In 1981, Hanson was featured on a 20-cent U.S. postage stamp . U.S. Route 50 between Washington, D.C., and Annapolis

3248-527: Was ever built because of his treason. Yorktown Day is a holiday celebrated in Yorktown, Virginia , United States annually on October 19. The holiday celebrates the surrender of the British forces on that date in 1781, ending the Battle of Yorktown and forcing Britain to negotiate the end of the American Revolutionary War . Typical events during the day include a parade , speeches from groups such as

3306-406: Was the forgotten first president of the United States was further promoted in a 1932 biography of Hanson by journalist Seymour Wemyss Smith. Smith's book asserts that the American Revolution had two primary leaders: George Washington on the battlefield and John Hanson in politics. Smith's book, like Douglas H. Thomas's 1898 book, was one of a number of biographies written seeking to promote Hanson as

3364-710: Was voted unanimously that North Carolina's delegates to the Continental Congress be empowered to concur with the other colonial delegates in declaring independence from Britain. Until the 1980s, Halifax Day was celebrated as a public holiday in North Carolina. Every year, on April 12, the Historic Halifax State Historic Site hosts Halifax Day. Interpreters in period costumes guide tours of historic buildings and demonstrate historic crafts and other colonial activities. Occasionally, reenactors portray Revolutionary-era soldiers and demonstrate

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