History
Today in History: Second Continental Congress Convenes
On this date in 1775, representatives from the several colonies met in Philadelphia, forming the Second Continental Congress. Its primary purpose was to determine a colonial response to controversial happenings in New England. Massachusetts militia had recently...
It Was Gun Control: What Started the War for Independence
What finally forced the patriots into a shooting war with the British Army in April 1775 was not taxes or even warrantless searches of homes or occupation by soldiers, but one of many attempts by the British to disarm Americans as part of an overall gun control...
Tax Battle! Henry vs Hamilton on the Requisition System
In a huge change from the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution eliminated “requisitions,” what many saw as a primary reason for the new system of taxation. Rejecting Alexander Hamilton and other Federalists in this debate were Patrick Henry and the...
Elected from Prison: Matthew Lyon
Convicted of violating the unconstitutional Sedition Act of 1798, Congressman Lyon was seen by his constituents as a martyr for free speech – and a hero. And he won his reelection bid – while in jail – by a landslide. Path to Liberty: April 5, 2023...