Amazing History

In the 1780s so much was happening that I am a little surprised that anything got done in the every day life of the citizens of the United States.

• 1780-Pennsylvania became first State to abolish slavery.  Benedict Arnold betrayed the United States.
• 1781-General George Washington beat the British at Yorktown.
• 1782-Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States and the Eagle as its symbol.
• 1783-The Revolutionary War officially ended.
• 1784-In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the eagle as a symbol of America.  He wanted the turkey!
• 1785-The US congress adopted the silver coin called a dollar as their monetary system.
• 1786-Daniel Boone was born.
• 1787-The Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia.  George Washington presided.  The Constitution was completed and signed on Sept 17.  It is the worlds oldest working constitution.
• 1788-The US Constitution went into effect as New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify it.
• 1789-George Washington became the first President of the United States.