March 8 » An anonymous writer, thought by some to be Thomas Paine, publishes "African Slavery in America", the first article in the American colonies calling for the emancipation of slaves and the abolition of slavery.
April 14 » The first abolition society in North America is established. The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage is organized in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush.
July 29 » Founding of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps: General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army.
August 20 » The Spanish establish the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson in the town that became Tucson, Arizona.
October 13 » The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy (predecessor of the United States Navy).
December 3 » USSAlfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Grand Union Flag (the precursor to the Stars and Stripes); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones.
Christening day July 5, 1776
The temperature on July 5, 1776 was about 22.0 °C. Wind direction mainly south east. Weather type: zeer betrokken weerlicht. Source: KNMI
April 6 » American Revolutionary War: Ships of the Continental Navy fail in their attempt to capture a Royal Navy dispatch boat.
May 19 » American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.
June 8 » American Revolutionary War: American attackers are driven back at the Battle of Trois-Rivières.
June 28 » American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the American victory, leading to the commemoration of Carolina Day.
July 8 » Church bells (possibly including the Liberty Bell) are rung after John Nixon delivers the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
September 10 » American Revolutionary War: Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Hendrik Dreyer, "Dreyer Tree", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/dreyer-tree/I530522.php : accessed February 5, 2026), "Jacobus van Zijl (1775-????)".
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