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1609 |
Sept. 14. Henry Hudson anchors his ship Half Moon opposite West Point. |
1775 |
Aug. 29. Fort Constitution on Constitution Island begun. |
1776 |
Sept. 27. Secretary of War Knox proposes a military academy for the United States. |
1777 |
Oct. 6. Colonial Generals George and James Clinton defeated by their English cousin Sir Henry Clinton at Forts Montgomery and Clinton on Popolopen Creek, Bear Mountain. |
1778 |
Jan. 20. West Point first occupied as a military post. Mar. 26. Count Kosciuszko placed in charge of West Point fortifications. Apr. 30. The Great Chain put in place for blockading the Hudson River to enemy traffic. |
1779 |
July 30. George Washington issues orders for a plan of instruction at West Point for a "Corps of Engineers, Sappers, and Miners." |
1780 |
Aug. 15. Benedict Arnold invites bids from the British for the delivery of the West Point fortress. Sept. 27, 28. Major John André, the English spy, imprisoned in Fort Putnam after his capture at Tarrytown. |
1782 |
May 31. First Camp Illumination. |
1783 |
Apr. 22. Colonel Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General of the Army, first suggests that the military academy be located at West Point. |
1802 |
Mar. 16. United States Military Academy authorized by Congress. Apr. 15. Major Jonathan Williams appointed first superintendent. July 4. The Academy formally opens with nine cadets. Oct. 12. Joseph G. Swift, first graduate of the Academy. |
1805 |
p. viii Apr. 19. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Williams reappointed superintendent with increased rank and authority. July 27. Cadet mess opens. |
1812 |
Aug. 15. George Ronan, Class of 1811, first graduate of the Academy to be killed in action, in Indian fight near Chicago. |
1816 |
Sept. 4. United States Military Academy gray uniforms adopted in honor of Scott's troops at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Lane. |
1817 |
July 28. Major Sylvanus Thayer appointed superintendent. Sept. 15. Second Lieutenant George W. Gardiner appointed the first Commandant of Cadets. |
1831 |
Mar. 6. Cadet Edgar Allan Poe dismissed for academic deficiencies. |
1835 |
Mar. 31. Cadets forbidden to marry. |
1838 |
Feb. 19. Fire destroys building containing the Adjutant's office, library, and the departments of chemistry, philosophy, and engineering. Nov. 24. Cadets first provided with bedsteads. |
1853 |
Jan. 25. Cadet battalion sized for first time. |
1854 |
Aug. 28. The Academy's course of study changed from four to five years. |
1857 |
Mar. 3. Cadet pay raised to $30.00 a month. |
1858 |
Oct. 11. Course of study changed from five to four years. |
1859 |
Apr. 5. Course of study raised from four to five years. |
1869 |
May 22. Association of graduates formed with Colonel Thayer as first president. |
1880 |
Aug. 11. At a Grand Army of the Republic reunion, General W. T. Sherman, Class of 1840, says, "There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell." |
1884 |
Feb. 13. First "Hundredth Night Show." |
1888 |
June 15. Cadet dress coat adopted. |
1890 |
Nov. 29. First Army-Navy football game (Score: Army 0, Navy 24). |
1896 |
Apr. 15. Corner stone of Cullum Hall laid. |
1897 |
May 31. Battle Monument dedicated. |
1898 |
Oct. 13. Arms and seal of United States Military Academy adopted. |
1899 |
Mar. 24. Black, gray, and gold for the Academy athletic uniforms adopted. |
1900 |
June 10. Catholic Chapel consecrated. |
1910 |
p. ix June 12. New Cadet Chapel dedicated, and "The Corps" first sung in public. |
1911 |
Apr. 24. Reveille gun fired from Trophy Point for first time. Nov. 19. "Alma Mater" first sung as a hymn. |
1918 |
Nov. 1. Second and Third Classes graduated as emergency war measure. Nov. 4. New Fourth Class admitted. Dec. 3. Student Officers Class (Class of 1919) returned to the Academy for further instruction. |
1924 |
Nov. 15. Michie Stadium formally opened. |
1931 |
Jan. 10. The Smith Skating Rink dedicated. |
1933 |
May 25. Bachelor of Science degree authorized for Academy graduates. |
1942 |
Aug. 25. Opening of Stewart Field for Academy flying training at Newburgh, N. Y. Oct. 1. Course of study temporarily reduced to three years. |
1943 |
Jan. 19. First Class graduated as emergency war measure. July 1. The 1,075 Fourth Classmen, largest number in history, become cadets. |
1944 |
May 30. Dedication of Air Cadet Memorial. |
1945 |
Sept. 4. Course of study raised to four years beginning with the current Fourth Class. |
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Page updated: 18 Oct 13