History is something that illuminates the culture and its origin. It also forecasts the awareness and how and when everything evolved and fell into place. It not only helps us trace the origins of the past but also helps us understand it better which leads to an understanding of the present more desirably. We, at Brag Social, try to keep you updated with the happening of past and present through our today column. Let us now read the historical milestones of September 9.

1776 – “United Colonies” adopts the name “United States”

The Continental Congress adopts the term “United States” instead of the “United Colonies.” The Continental Congressional Declaration dated September 9, 1776, formally uses the name United States stating that these United Colonies ought to be free and independent states. On June 7, 1776, Congress passed a resolution by Richard Henry Lee and was approved by July 2, 1776. Hence, July 4 was when Jefferson’s edited Declaration of Independence was adopted. The Declaration of Independence was drafted, signed, printed, and sent to Great Britain by September, finally reflecting the nation’s new name in reality.

1786 – George Washington calls for the abolition of slavery.

One-fifth of the colony’s population lived in bondage even after the revolution was passed. Slavery was considered to be a legal institution in each of the 13 colonies and all the nine presidents including Washington were slaveholders before the revolution. It was after the revolution that George Washington freed all the slaves upon his death. Washington realized that Slavery was unscrupulous and completely contradictory to the ideas and principles of equality and liberty laid by the Revolution. A document was endorsed in 1774, known as the Fairfax Resolves that recommended no more slaves to be imported to any of the British colonies and condemned the slave trade.

1834 – Municipal Corporations Act passes

The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed the Municipal Corporations Act also known as the Municipal Reforms Act ameliorated the local government in the incorporated boroughs of England and Wales. A uniform system of municipal boroughs was established by the Act that was to be governed by town councils. The Act reformed boroughs that we’re obliged to publish their financial accounts that were viable to audits. The Act introduced major electoral changes in England and allowed unincorporated towns to petition for incorporation.

1965 – US Department of Housing and Urban Development was established.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development was founded as a cabinet department in 1965, to develop policies on housing and metropolises and was established as a part of President Lyndon Johnson’s program the ‘Great Society”. The Cabinet department in the executive branch of the United States federal government is a federal agency that is responsible for national policies and programs that are addressed to America’s housing needs. The agency focuses on the improvement and development of the Nation’s communities along with the enforcement of fair housing laws.

1969 – Canada’s Official Languages Act takes effect

The Official Language Act was passed on September 9, 1969, making French equal to English as a language within the nation’s government. On the recommendation of the Royal Commission of Bilingualism and Biculturalism, the Act was passed and came into effect in September 1969. The Act declared French and English as the official languages of Canada for all purposes of the parliament and Government of Canada under section 2. Any rule or By-laws under the Government of Canada is to published in both the official languages is declared by the Act.

1993 – Israel recognized as a legitimate state by PLO

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officially recognizes Israel as a legitimate state and accepted the UN Security Council’s resolution 248 and 338 thereby realizing Israel’s need to exist in peace. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was declared as a representative of the Palestine people by Israel as a response to PLO’s declaration. Until the Madrid Conference in 1991, PLO was considered a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel.

Sources: history.net