Evening star., 1937-07-04
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

".h'A s@o W 'hDDo
The Fourth of July has many his
torlcal connotatlons of interest. Natal
day of American independence, it also
Is the anniversary of a large variety
OF other events of enduring signifi-
canoe
1t was on July 4. l4l5. that John
Huss was condemned to be burned
at the stake at Constance. Switzer-
land-one OF the most celebrated OF
the long list Of martyrs to religious
liberty.
On July 4. 1901. the Archduke Al
bert began the siege of Ostend, OPEN
ing new phase of the vain struggle
to inf1ict alien rule upon the people
OF the Low Countries. Only after
three years Of unremitting attack
was he able to force the towns sur
render.
July 4, 1909. is memorable AS the
day on which Samuel Champlain dis
covered the beautiful lake in New
York State which ever since has borne
his name
Providence Founded in 1886.
On July 4, 1882, Boston was chosen
as the new capital OF Massachusetts,
Colony, and ON July 4. 1886, Roger
Williams founded Providence.
The famous Barebone's Parliament.
consisting OF about 140 members, first
convened at Westminster, London,
July 4, 1858.
On July 4. 1876, Gov. Berkeley of
Virginia Colony granted Nathaniel
Bacon his commission as general of
the Dominion troops organized for a
hnal struggle with the Indians.
The Fourth of July also was of re-
current Importance in the career Of
the greatest Of Virginia's sons-George
Washington. On July 4, 1854, he was
obliged to surrender Fort Necessity
to the French. On July 4, IT'S, i'm
mediately after assuming command
Of the American Army at Cambridge,
he initiated the siege Of Boston. On
July 4. l776, the immortal Declara-
ton Of independence was approved
and his leadership in freedoms cause
thus confirmed.
July 4, 1778, was the date of the
Wyoming massacre, one Of the most
tragic events in the story of the Revo-
luton. Hundreds of defenseless old
men. women and little children we're
slaughtered by redcoats and Indians
led by Joseph Brant. They were
abundantly avenged
An expedition from Virginia on
July 4, 1779. captured the Britist fort
at Kaskaskia or Vincennes, thus free
ing the Indiana Territory. The leader
OF the attack was the famous Gen.
George Rogers Clark, brother Of Gen.
William Clark, explorer OF the North
west.
Tariff Bill in 1883.
On July 4, 1889, Congress passed
the first tariff bill, protective in prin-
ciple. 1t was signed Immediately by
President Washington.
July 4, 1917, marked the beginning
OF work on the Erie Canal.
SOlemnlty was added to the obServ-
ance Of the flftieth anniversary of the
Declaration OF Independence by the
circumstance Of the death OF Thomas
Jefferson and John Adams, two of the
patriots responsible for its formula
ton and adoption, both later Presi-
dents. July 4, 1926.
On July 4. 1927. a treaty never
broken was concluded between the
United States and Sweden and Nor
way. The same date Is remembered
as that on which slavery was abolished
in New York State.
Work on the first passenger railroad
in the United states-the Baltimore
d. ohio-vas begun July 4, 1928.
The United States Patent Once
was established on July I, 1886.
A joint resolution annexing Texas
to the United States was passed by
Congress July 4, l845.
July 4, ls4s. saw many important
events. among them the death of Vis-
count Chateaubriand. celebrated
French man Of lettexs: the signing of