Page 25 - Sojourner Newsletter- SUMMER 2022 -FINAL

Vol. 99 Issue 3 25

H I S T O R I A N’ S CORNER (HEROES OF ‘76)

Key Dates in Our History

By Edward W. Nolte, National Historian

25 Dec 1778: Caleb Atwater (1778-1867), Founder, born in North Adams, MA
11 Apr 1832: Edward B. Jones (1832-1894), Founder, born in Petersburg, VA
22 Aug 1836: Archibald M. Willard (1836-1918), born in Bedford, OH
7 Aug 1842: Thomas J. Flournoy (1842-1925), Founder, born in Paducah, KY

13 Mar 1867: Caleb Atwater, Founder, dies in Circleville, OH
1 Jul 1874: Christopher Van Deventer (1874-1964), Founder, born in Clinton, IA
2 Aug 1894: Edward B. Jones, Founder, dies in Paducah, KY
11 Oct 1918: Archibald M. Willard dies in Wellington, OH
Jul 1922: First Heroes Camp (Bon Homme Richard) formed in Chicago Chapter
Jul 1922-Jun 26: COL Christopher Van Deventer is “Acting” National Commander
10 Jun 1924: First National Encampment held in Washington, D.C.
5 Sep 1925: Thomas J. Flournoy dies in Rockmart, GA
2 Jun 1926: COL Christopher Van Deventer is first elected National Commander

20 Jun 1927: National Heroes of ’76 elects its first full slate of National Officers
12 Jun 1928: Bennington Flag becomes official flag of Heroes of ‘76
13 Jun 1930 Christopher Van Deventer is elected Emeritus National Commander
13 Jan 1934: Heroes of ’76 Emblem is copyrighted (Entry Class G #15531) for 28 years
25 May 1951: A Toast to the Flag is added to the Heroes Manual
25 May 1956: Installation Ceremony is added to the Heroes Manual
23 Feb 1964: Christopher Van Deventer dies at Rockford, Tennessee
27 Jun 1969: Heroes Manual Committee form and recruits are limited to two per bivouac
21 Jun 1974: National Commander is responsible for all Heroes’ activities and is subordinate to the National President. Camp
Commanders are responsible for all Camp activities and are subordinate to the Chapters’ Presidents.
1976: Camp Followers is created in Southern California Area.
8 Jun 1976: National Patent Office grants a second “Trademark” to the “Heroes of ‘76”
25 June 1976: Heroes Manual Committee is given full control of the Heroes Manual.
17 Jun 1994: GEN Jonathan Wainwright Award is first presented to an Outstanding Camp
26 June 1997: Van Deventer Award is first presented as the highest honor for outstanding service to the Heroes of ’76.