1. On July 20, 1969, New Hampshire residents were glued to their television sets as they watched the Apollo 11 mission land on the moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong famously declared, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" as he took the first steps on the lunar surface.
2. In 1779, American naval hero John Paul Jones boarded and captured the British ship HMS Serapis off the coast of New Hampshire. The battle marked a turning point in the American Revolutionary War and secured Jones' place in history as a legendary sailor.
3. On July 20, 1944, New Hampshire native and Army Air Forces pilot Francis "Gabby" Gabreski shot down his first enemy aircraft in World War II. Gabreski went on to become one of the top American flying aces of the war, with a total of 28 confirmed kills.
4. The New Hampshire state motto, "Live Free or Die," was adopted on July 20, 1945. The phrase, which originated from a letter written by Revolutionary War General John Stark, is meant to capture the independent spirit of Granite State residents.
5. On July 20, 1858, New Hampshire native and prominent politician Salmon P. Chase was appointed as the 25th Secretary of the Treasury. During his tenure, Chase was instrumental in establishing the United States' first national banking system and implementing a federal income tax. He later served as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
5 Fun Facts About July 20 In New Hampshire History
---Learn Every Day: NH Today In History Facts Texted Each Day - Text: history nh To: 618-270-4005---
- Tags: NH
← Older Post Newer Post →