This Day In Founders History – 20 November

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This Day In Founders History – 20 November

On this day in 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Of the twelve amendments proposed, New Jersey approved eleven.

One notable birthday on this day in history in 1726, that of Oliver Wolcott. Wolcott served in the French and Indian War, then went on to study medicine and later was appointed sheriff of Litchfield County, Connecticut. He also served as brigadier general in the Revolutionary War and major general in the Connecticut militia. He was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs by the Continental Congress, signed the Articles of Confederation, and he signed the Declaration of Independence, although later than most as he was ill in 1776. He went on to become Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and then Governor, dying in office.

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