America 250!
Background
As explained on the NSDAR website, "The National Society has established the America 250! Special Committee to plan DAR’s involvement and maximize its visibility during our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Much like the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, this observance provides an exceptional opportunity for community involvement, positive public relations and – most important – membership growth throughout DAR." You can learn more about Phase I and II plans for 2026 on the Members' Only Section of the website here.
January Revolutionary War Flashbacks
January 1, 1776 - During the American Revolution, George Washington unveiled the Grand Union
Flag, the first national flag in America.
January 1 Birthdays - Paul Revere (1735-1818) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Best known for his ride on the night of April 18, 1775, warning Americans of British plans to raid Lexington and Concord.
Betsy Ross (1752-1836) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This seamstress is credited with helping to originate and sew the Stars and Stripes flag of America in 1776.
January 3, 1777 - General George Washington defeated the British at Princeton and drove them back toward New Brunswick. Washington then established winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey. During the long harsh winter, Washington's army shrank to about a thousand men as enlistments expired and deserters fled.
January 7, 1782 - The first U.S. commercial bank opened as the Bank of North America in
Philadelphia.
January 10, 1776 - Common Sense, a fifty page pamphlet by Thomas Paine, was published. It sold over 500,000 copies in America and Europe, influencing, among others, the authors of the Declaration of Independence.
January 11 Birthday - Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) was born in the British West Indies. He was a founder of the United States who favored a strong central government and co-authored the Federalist Papers, a series of essays in defense of the new Constitution. He was selected by George Washington to be the first Secretary of the Treasury. He died from a gunshot wound received during a duel with Aaron Burr.
January 12 Birthday - American statesman and Patriot John Hancock (1737-1793) was born in
Braintree, Massachusetts. He was elected president of the Second Continental Congress in 1775, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and went on to become the first elected
governor of Massachusetts.
January 17 Birthday - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Considered the Elder Statesman of the American Revolution, he displayed multiple talents as a printer, author, publisher, philosopher, scientist, diplomat and philanthropist. He signed both the Declaration of Independence and the new U.S. Constitution.
January 21 Birthday - Ethan Allen (1738-1789) was born in Litchfield, Connecticut. He was a hero who led the small force that captured Fort Ticonderoga in New York without bloodshed in 1775. The fort contained much needed supplies and ammunition.
January 29 Birthday - Common Sense author Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was born in Thetford, England. He served in the Continental Army and observed the hardships of American troops fighting the world's most powerful army. He then published The Crisis series pamphlets which began by stating, "These are the times that try men's souls." He refused to accept the profits from his writings and wound up destitute after the Revolution.
Patriot Stories
Patriot Spotlight
Interested in sharing your patriot's story and having it shared below or on our social media page? Download the template here and send it to Lenna Wilson, America 250! Vice Chair, l.wilson868@gmail.com
