On July 3, 1775, George Washington officially rode out in front of a massive crowd in Cambridge, Massachusetts, drew his sword, and took command of the newly formed Continental Army. Witnessing his grand arrival, future First Lady Abigail Adams remarked that his noble and majestic presence seamlessly blended the traits of a true gentleman and a fierce soldier.
The fascinating layer to this event is the enduring myth of the Washington Elm. For over a century, local lore claimed Washington drew his sword precisely beneath a specific majestic elm tree on the Cambridge Common. While the legendary tree became a revered patriotic shrine until it collapsed in 1923, modern historians have discovered that the story was largely a romantic Victorian invention. Washington actually assumed command on a nearby parade ground, though the tree remains a beloved symbol of American liberty.
Image: The New York Public Library. Washington at Cambridge–taking command of the army. New York Public Library Digital Collections. No known restrictions.
