Category: Podcast – Stories of American History

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History, United States History Series

1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

On January 18, officials from the Georgia Provincial Congress arrested Georgia’s Royal Governor James Wright. Wright had been the governor of Georgia since 1760, having previously served as South Carolina’s representative to the Crown and as South Carolina’s attorney. His problems began with the Stamp Act, passed by Parliament in 1765. He managed to be the only royal official to successfully import and sell the stamps despite the efforts of the local Sons of Liberty to stop him. On January 12 a small British fleet had arrived in Savannah’s harbor. The fleet had intentions of purchasing a load of rice to take to Boston’s besieged troops. Delegates for the Georgia Provincial Congress had arrived and decided they did not want Wright to purchase the rice and had him arrested. Continue reading 1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony condemned Margaret Jones to hang for the crime of witchcraft on June 13, 1648. Mrs. Jones was the first victim executed for this crime in Massachusetts. She was probably not the first ever accused. But Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins’ methods provided a framework of gathering evidence. Accusers used his methods to gather the evidence used to convict her. The accounts of her trial and execution come from Governor John Winthrop, who presided over the trial, and John Hale. Authorities also charged her husband with witchcraft. He was not convicted. Continue reading First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

The charter granted by the Crown on March 3, 1629 stated that the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court had to meet on an annual basis. This General Court admitted new freemen, chose officers, and made laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the company. These laws could not conflict with Britain’s laws. The first meeting of this General Court at Boston occurred on October 19, 1630. The main order of business was to admit freemen to the colony. Continue reading Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Before the Table Fork, there were Fingers and Knives

Governor John Winthrop turned many heads with his use of a “split spoon” as he sat at his meal. During this time, Winthrop likely owned the only fork in North America as the clergy considered split spoons evil. Opposed to the use of the new eating utensil they considered that the only thing worthy of touching “God’s food” were fingers. Many considered them effeminate since Thomas Coryate introduced them to England. Continue reading Before the Table Fork, there were Fingers and Knives

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving feasts were a common practice for the European settlers and their native neighbors. It was tradition for the Europeans to set aside days of thanksgiving. They celebrated for a bountiful harvest, drought-ending rains or other providential events. These events did not have any connection with their worship service. They were set during week and commonly involved fasting beforehand. After the fasting, they would have one or several days of celebratory feasting. The Indians had similar traditions. They had thanksgiving celebrations sporadically throughout the year for special events. Thus, both peoples had traditions of this type of celebration. Continue reading Podcast – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

Podcast - Stories of American History, Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – First Report of European Honeybees in the Colonies

The earliest evidence of the European Honeybee in America comes from a letter drafted by the Council of the Virginia Company, dispatched to Governor and Council in Virginia. The letter noted that the colonists had ordered seeds, apple trees, pigeons, mastiff dogs and beehives. The shipment of bees arrived in Virginia sometime in March 1622 to serve as pollinators for the European crops. The bees would also produce honey and beeswax, which the native bees did not produce. Continue reading Podcast – First Report of European Honeybees in the Colonies

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Podcast – Beginning of the Boston Impressments – Sparked the Knowles Riots

Commodore Charles Knowles anchored his ship, the HMS Cornwall, in Boston Harbor in mid-November 1747 to retrofit and re-supply it. British seamen worked under harsh discipline, thus many of the crew deserted while the ship lay at anchor. When the ship prepared to depart, the ship was short of crew, so Commodore Knowles sought to replenish his crew by impressing Bostonians into naval service. Continue reading Podcast – Beginning of the Boston Impressments – Sparked the Knowles Riots

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Podcast – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia

The crises with England had grown after Parliament passed the so-called Intolerable Acts. In an attempt to provide a united response to Parliament and get the Acts repealed, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies on the Atlantic seaboard assembled in Philadelphia at Carpenter’s Hall. The last inter-colonial meeting had been the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. Continue reading Podcast – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Stamp Act Riots – Stamp Distributor Andrew Oliver Hanged in Effigy

The British Parliament’s passage of the Stamp Act to pay for the French and Indian War in 1765 created massive protests in Britain’s North American colonies. Street protests broke out in many of the cities. The Crown had appointed Andrew Oliver to oversee the collection of the tax. Furious protesters hung Oliver in effigy during a protest on August 14, 1765. Continue reading Stamp Act Riots – Stamp Distributor Andrew Oliver Hanged in Effigy

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

First of the Hutchinson Letters Published

June 29, 1773 – First of the Hutchinson Letters Published
Leaking sensitive government documents is nothing new. Ben Franklin, in an attempt to soothe the heat of the growing American Revolution, ended up fanning the flames instead when he sent a packet of letters written by Boston Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson that he had acquired to colonial leaders. Continue reading First of the Hutchinson Letters Published

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Podcast – May 12, 1777 – First Ice Cream Advertisement

The Chinese and Romans each had their own forms of ice cream that the elite among them could enjoy. Roman emperors dispatched runners into the mountains to fetch snow from the snow-covered peaks to bring back for the emperor to enjoy. Servants then flavored the snow with fruits and fruit juices. Historians have found evidence that Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) enjoyed snow mixed with honey and fruit. Continue reading Podcast – May 12, 1777 – First Ice Cream Advertisement

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Podcast – Slave Girl Priscilla Begins Her Horrible Journey

Kidnapped in the African interior of the Rice Coast, a ten-year-old girl joined eighty-three other kidnapped Africans on the slave ship, the Hare April 9, 1754. After a ten-week voyage, the girl, whose African name is lost to the ages, was sold to a Carolina rice plantation owner at auction in Charlestown. He named her Priscilla. Continue reading Podcast – Slave Girl Priscilla Begins Her Horrible Journey

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History

Podcast – The Rescue of Alexander Selkirk – Progenitor of Character Robinson Crusoe

British governor Woodes Rogers, during his mission to destroy the Pirate Republic, accidentally found Alexander Selkirk, who had been stranded on an island for over four years. Author Daniel Defoe used the experience of Selkirk to write his classic book, Robinson Crusoe. Continue reading Podcast – The Rescue of Alexander Selkirk – Progenitor of Character Robinson Crusoe

366 Days in History Series, Podcast - Stories of American History, Video

Podcast – The First Woman Hanged In Georgia

Colonial justice was harsh and quick. Just over one year after Oglethorpe founded Savannah in 1733 indentured servants Alice Riley and her boyfriend, Richard White allegedly murdered their master William Wise, becoming the first murderers in the fledgling settlement. The first hanging came just weeks after the murder. Continue reading Podcast – The First Woman Hanged In Georgia

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – First Blacks Land at Jamestown Virginia

First Blacks Land at Jamestown Virginia
Sometime in late August, 1619 a ship docked at Jamestown bearing a cargo of blacks. The probable origin of these people was Angola, Africa. Thus, the first blacks had arrived in the New World. The status of these people is unknown. The institution of slavery did not exist yet. Many historians feel that these blacks served as indentured servants for a period. There are records that blacks received awards of land in later years, lending credence to that theory. Continue reading Podcast – First Blacks Land at Jamestown Virginia