[ad_1]
1777, 244 years ago
Victory in Saratoga
A messenger from America arrives in France and brings bad news to Benjamin Franklin. Franklin has already heard it, however: British general Sir William Howe has captured Philadelphia – the capital of the American colonies.
A dejected Franklin turns away from the messenger, who suddenly shouts, “But, sir, I have good news too. The Americans defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga. “
This is good news indeed, as 71-year-old Franklin has been living in the village of Passy – a few kilometers from Paris – for 14 months and is trying to persuade the French to form an alliance with the American colonies in their struggle for independence Great Britain. King Louis XVI and his ministers hesitated to side with the Americans. France is not at war with Britain and the French are unsure if America’s inexperienced army can defeat a professional British army.
The king has already denied America’s request for a formal alliance, but when Franklin informs him of the American victory at Saratoga, he invites Franklin to resubmit the request. Franklin does it, and on December 7, 1777, the king receives it.
More history:George Washington faces a dilemma outside of Philadelphia
Simplify your life:4 Ways To Make Your Tomorrow More Productive
1922, 99 years ago
Zonta Club
Effie Edwards is elected President of the Zonta Club of Utica at a meeting at the Hotel Utica. Other officers in the business and professional organization include: Mary Cockerill, first vice president; R. Louise Brown, second vice president; Fanny Avery, admissions secretary; Susie Miller, correspondent secretary; and Rose McGinty, treasurer.
1946, 75 years ago
stay calm
A bituminous coal shortage in Utica leads Mayor Boyd Golder to urge homeowners to lower temperatures to 65 degrees and save gas and electricity. He also calls on shop owners to reduce the interior lighting by 25 percent. Golder says, “The city got pretty much all of the hard coal it will get for a while.” The coal is the main fuel used in power plants that use steam to generate electricity. Anthracite, rice and buckwheat charcoal are available in sufficient quantities, but these supplies will soon be depleted too.
1971, 50 years ago
Police officers appointed
The Utica Police Department has three new officers: Thomas A. Bogaert, Michael L. Benedetto and Stephen LoPiccolo.
St. Mary’s Guild, St. Louis of Gonzaga Church, Utica elects Mary Abdoo as their president. Other officers: Beatrice Shaheen, Vice President; Pam Wehby, Admissions Secretary; Rose Ellis, Corresponding Secretary; Mary Abounader, treasurer; and Florence Kalil, Assistant Treasurer.
In high school basketball, Bob Dixon scores 25 points to lead the Rome Free Academy ahead of Ilion, 74-49. Meanwhile, Brookfield South defeats New Berlin, 56-49, and is led by Leonard Head with 20 points. Dan Anderson scores 17 points for South New Berlin.
1996, 25 years ago
Bator remembered
Fireman First Class Edward Bator of New York Mills, who died aboard the USS Arizona when it was bombed and sunk by the Japanese in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, is Polish at a memorial service at the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Holy Cross. honored National Catholic Church in New York Mills. The Edward Bator Post 21, Polish Legion of American Veterans, in New York Mills, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.
In high school basketball, Russ Carlson’s 15 points lead Notre Dame to a 52-26 win over Chittenango. Meanwhile, Waterville defeated Morrisville-Eaton, 79-50, behind Adam Paynes 16 points and Shannon Ruanes 14.
Michael Austin and Dr. John Zdanowicz are inducted into the SUNY Alumni Hall of Fame. Both are graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College. Austin is the Assistant Vice President and Director of Communications at Utica National Insurance Group. Zdanowicz is Professor of Finance and Director of the Center for Banking and Financial Institutions at Florida International University.
2011, 10 years ago
Transition team
The elected Mayor of Utica, Robert Palmieri, names his transition team. They are: Frank DuRoss, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Mohawk Valley Community College; Vincent Gilroy, Chartered Accountant; Pat Costello, President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 43; Louis Critelli, retired engineer and former Utica councilor; Mary Brown Depass, former director of advisory and specialty programs at SUNYIT; Todd Hutton, president of Utica College; Sal Longo, CEO of the Northern Safety Company; Sonia Martinez, President of the Mohawk Valley Latino Association; and Mike Taylor, President of Collinite Chemical.
Knowledge quiz
This US President is the only one who sits in the House of Representatives after serving as President. He is also the first president to get married in a foreign country. (a) Thomas Jefferson, (b) John Quincy Adams, (c) Andrew Johnson, or (d) Herbert Hoover. (The answer will appear here next week.)
Answer to last week’s question: President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy first met while he was a Congressman from Massachusetts, and they interviewed him as “The Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times-Herald.
This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. Send him an email at ftomaino221@gmail.com.
[ad_2]
https://www.uticaod.com/story/lifestyle/2021/12/02/ben-franklin-receives-good-news-american-revolution/8820422002/
