On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates from 12 states signed the US Constitution, laying the groundwork of our country’s government. Much of the document was inspired by the ideas of James Madison, leading him to be called the “Father of the Constitution.”
The Battle of Harlem Heights, fought on September 16, 1776, was one of the most important early morale-boosting victories for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It came at a time when General George Washington and his troops were reeling from several defeats and desperately needed a reason to believe they could stand against the powerful British Army. Though the battle was relatively small compared to others in the war, it played an important role in lifting the spirits of the American troops and proving that they could go toe-to-toe with the British on the battlefield.
On September 15, 1831, the John Bull steam locomotive made its inaugural trip on New Jersey’s first railroad. It became a symbol of early railroad innovation and the beginning of a new era of transportation, marking a turning point that demonstrated the promise of steam power to move goods and passengers faster than ever before.
Eight days after being shot by an assassin at the Pan-American Expo, President McKinley died on September 14, 1901. His passing sent a wave of grief across the nation, as more than 200,000 people attended memorial ceremonies in Washington, DC and his home state of Ohio.
On September 13, 1788, New York City was established as America’s first capital under the Constitution of the United States. This marked the beginning of a new era for the country, as the states moved from the loose Articles of Confederation to the stronger federal government outlined in the US Constitution.
On September 12, 1862, the Civil War Battle for Harpers Ferry began. Though the Confederate attack was successful, Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North ultimately failed.
On September 11, 1935, workers broke ground on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina. Though it would take more than 50 years to complete, it’s been the most visited National Park Service site nearly every year since 1946, earning the nickname, “America’s Favorite Drive.”
Pioneering American educator, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, died on September 10, 1851, in Hartford, Connecticut. Best known for his groundbreaking work in the education of the deaf, his efforts in the early 19th century helped bring language, communication, and opportunity to people who had long been excluded from mainstream society. Gallaudet’s vision, determination, and compassion led to the founding of the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States and laid the foundation for modern deaf education.
On September 9, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This act was a landmark piece of legislation that changed the way Americans thought about cars and driving.