Posted on Sep 11, 2015
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
3.78K
17
9
4
4
0
Contrary to popular belief, the United States was officially named on Sept. 9, not July 4.

On Sept. 9, 1776, the Continental Congress formally changed the name of their new nation to the “United States of America,” rather than the “United Colonies,” which was in regular use at the time, according to History.com.

While most credit Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence as the instigating force behind independence, it was actually a June 7 resolution on independence written by Virginian Richard Henry Lee that was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 2. As such, John Adams wrote to his wife that July 2 would be celebrated as “the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.”

http://taskandpurpose.com/the-united-states-was-called-the-united-colonies-until-sept-9-1776/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tp-today
Avatar feed
Responses: 4
LTC Stephen F.
1
1
0
Who called the colonies the United Colonies SGT (Join to see)?
That seems to be a name given by those wanting to break free from England so I expect it was not made public long before 1776 since that would bring charges of treason against whoever published it - if caught.
I suspect that was a name the local colonists used because it excluded the rest of North American British Colonies in Canada. I think the British referred to their colonies in America as the British colonies in America similar to the way they referred to other colonies. The individual people were either Tories or loyalists if they supported the Crown of England.
(1)
Comment
(0)
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Once again, LTC Stephen F., you've got your history and thinking cap in order. Thank you.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Scott Bell
1
1
0
No i did not
(1)
Comment
(0)
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
I've never heard it either, SGT Scott Bell.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Joseph James
1
1
0
I'm not sure people questioned when we officially owned the name. I think people only care about when our country was born.
(1)
Comment
(0)
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
I thought it was an interesting part of history, SFC Joseph James.
(0)
Reply
(0)
SFC Joseph James
SFC Joseph James
9 y
Great point. It is very interesting SGT (Join to see)!
(0)
Reply
(0)
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Thanks SFC Joseph James. I aims to please. (-:
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close