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Show fo 200 Years ago Ijil this week fSA & By Congressman Allan T.Howe and Colorado, entered the territory now within Utah's bounderies in September of 1776, and forded the Green River near the present site of Jensen, Utah on September 16. The Dominguez-Escalante expedition spent about two months trekking across land now contained in Utah. This week 200 years ago was a time of organization and several "firsts" as the 13 American colonies worked at becomeing a cohesive confederation. The first recorded expedition that would bring European explorers ex-plorers into what is now Utah began 199 years ago this week. An expedition led by two Franciscan Fathers, Fray An-tanasio An-tanasio Dominguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante, left Santa Fe, New Mexico on July 29, 1776. The start of the expedition was delayed several times, but had it departed on schedule it would have begun on America's birthday - July 4, 1776. The explorers, after traveling through what is now New Mexico ' The first Continental Army unit reached Boston on July 25, 1775. It was a rifle company from York County, Pennsylvania, commanded by Captain Michael Doudel. Also on July 25, Dr. Benjamin Church became the first Surgeon General of the Continental Army. Benjamin Franklin, the first Postmaster General, established posts from Maine to Georgia on July 26, 1775. The Maryland Convention, meeting in Annapolis on July 26, voted to support measures of the Continental Congress, and resolved to organize 40 com-panys com-panys of Minutemen. On July 27, 1775, Congress resolved to establish an Army hospital. The Army Chaplain Department Depart-ment and the Judge Advocate General Department were established by Congress on July -28, 1775. By resolve of Congress, George Clymer and Michael Hilligas were made joint treasures of the United Colonies on July 29, 1775. |