Mirabilis Member Years

There shall be initially 410 Mirabilis Members. Mirabilis is latin for miracle. The Mirabilis Members will each be unique in that they will adopt a year in the great American story.

1760

With the capture of Canada in the French and Indian War, George III gained dominion over an area twelve times the size of England. His attempted to pay for the war and to protect England’s new territory through taxing the Americans will lead to rebellion and independence.

1761

James Otis, a Massachusetts lawyer, argued on behalf of Boston merchants against the Writs of Assistance, general search warrants allowed by Parliament to help law enforcement catch smugglers. With fiery rhetoric and a command of English law, Otis challenged the legality and constitutionality of the Writs. His stand initiated the long series of protests that led to independence.

First insurance policy issued in America, in Philadelphia.

1762

First St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City

1763

French and Indian War ended. The Treaty of Paris resulted in England’s empire doubling in size, with the addition of Canada. King George issued a Proclamation restricting the movement of Americans west of the Appalachians, as a first step in managing the new lands. It is ignored by Americans.

1764

Parliament passed the Quebec Act permitting their Roman Catholic French subjects freedom of religion in Canada. New Englanders expressed outrage.

1765

Parliament imposed a stamp tax on the American colonies in an attempt to raise money to help fund the British troops stationed there to protect the colonies. The tax was seen as an unconstitutional measure in violation of colonial charters. Protests arose in every colony, including petitions, boycotts, tar and feathering, burning in effigy and mob action.

On his 29th birthday, Patrick Henry stood in the Virginia House of Burgesses and denounced the Stamp Act, famously saying, “if this be treason, make the most of it!”

1766

Parliament repeals the Stamp Act

The last Royal Governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, Benjamin’s son, issues a charter for Queens College, which becomes Rutgers.

1767

Daniel Boone treks through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky, in defiance of the Proclamation Act, and opens the way for thousands of others to move west.

1768

Richard Henry Lee proposed establishing committees of correspondence among the colonies, which they did.

John Adam’s circular letter sent by Massachusetts Legislature to the other 12 colonies, resulting in the dissolution of the Assembly.

1769

Father Junipero Serra founds Roman Catholic Mission, San Diego de Alcala, the first of twenty one missions in California.