“The First Prayer at Congress: A Nation Kneels”
As hostilities with Britain increased, representatives of the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on September 7, 1774, and began their meeting with prayer rather than discussion. The invocation, which was led by Christ Church’s Reverend Jacob Duché, prayed for the American colonies’ unity, protection, and divine direction. This act of collective faith signaled the emergence of a new political identity during an uncertain period, one based on moral conviction and a common goal.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Thomas Hendricks, the 21st Vice President, was born on this day, September 7, 1819. He remains the only Vice President whose portrait appeared on a U.S. banknote—specifically, a Series 1908 $10 Silver Certificate—without having served as president. Hendricks served a brief eight months under President Grover Cleveland before his death in 1885.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
September 7, 1776…
American colonial soldier Ezra Lee conducts the world’s first submarine attack in Bushnell’s “Turtle” against a British naval vessel (HMS Eagle) in New York Harbor
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7, 1867, the son of J.P. Morgan, named J.P. Morgan Jr. was born in Irvington, New York.
In 1920 he decided to donate his London residence to the U.S. Government for use as its embassy.
Image of J.P. Morgan, Jr. via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
American artist Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma Moses) was born on September 7, 1860 in Greenwich, (Washington County) New York.
Quote: “Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.”
Image: Anna Mary Robertson in the 1860s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
A photo of the RMS Lusitania arriving in New York in September 1907 after she finished her maiden voyage.
The Lusitania departed England on September 7th of that year and completed the transatlantic crossing on September 13th.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7. 1927 inventor Philo T. Farnsworth made the world’s first all-electronic television transmission, a process he’d first visualized at age 14. Throughout his long career (300 patents!) Farnsworth always acknowledged the support of his spouse, Elma, saying “my wife and I started this TV.”
Image by PSchatzkin, Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication via Wikimedia Commons.
American poet Elinor Wylie was born on
September 7, 1885
in Somerville, New Jersey.
Her grandfather, Henry Hoyt, was the 18th Governor of Pennsylvania.
One of her poems was called:
Incantation
“A white well
In a black cave;
A bright shell
In a dark wave.
A white rose
Black brambles hood;
Smooth bright snows
In a dark wood.
A flung white glove
In a dark fight;
A white dove
On a wild black night.
A white door
In a dark lane;
A bright core
To bitter black pain.
A white hand
Waved from dark walls;
In a burnt black land
Bright waterfalls.
A bright spark
Where black ashes are;
In the smothering dark
One white star.”
From her collection of poems titled: “Nets to Catch the Wind” published in 1921
Image: Elinor Wylie in 1921 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7, 1892 James Corbett (left) defeated John Sullivan (right) for the Heavyweight title.
The bout lasted 21 rounds.
Images via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Born September 7, 1936 Buddy Holly packed his seven-year career with an amazing variety of experiences. Writing and singing a string of hit songs, many with his band, The Crickets, Holly also opened for Elvis, toured internationally, and appeared on American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show.
Image of Buddy Holly & The Crickets via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US
One of the earliest examples of the term “Uncle Sam” appeared in the Troy Post newspaper in upstate New York on September 7, 1813.
The article mentioned Sam Wilson (shown), a meatpacker who used barrels for storing meat during the War of 1812. The barrels were stamped with “U.S.” that was interpreted by the soldiers receiving them as coming from “Uncle Sam.”
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7, 1915, Johnny Gruelle received U.S. patent number 47,789 for his Raggedy Ann doll design.
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7, 1960, track and field star Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the same Olympiad.
When Wilma was a child she suffered from numerous illnesses including polio which caused her left leg to become paralyzed.
When she reached the age of 12
she no longer needed to wear a leg brace.
Image of Wilma in September 1960 from Henk Lindeboom / Anefo • CC BY-SA 3.0 nl via Wikimedia Commons
Union forces had control of Fort Wagner after it was abandoned by Confederate forces on September 7, 1863.
It was nearly two months after the famous and heroic storming of the Confederate stronghold by the 54th Massachusetts Infantry.
Image of the Federal garrison inside Fort Wagner on Morris Island in South Carolina in 1865 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth on their wedding day with best man Joseph Cotten, in Santa Monica, California.
September 7, 1943
via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
An American patrol advances three miles north of Lucca, Italy to contact an enemy machine gun nest. Here a soldier with a bazooka cuts loose at the target some 300 yards away.
September 7, 1944
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
On September 7, 1963 the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in Canton, Ohio.
Image via Shutterstock
On September 7, 1630 (O.S. Date) the English settlement in Massachusetts known as “Trimountaine” became known as “Boston.”
Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US
