On this day 391 years ago, the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock after a agonizing 66-day journey across the sea. Two died along the way. The remaining 100 passengers had fled their native England to escape religious persecution. A record of the journey and preliminary steps to building the colony was kept by William Bradford, the future governor. The voyage was easy compared to what lay ahead. Winter, disease, lack of supplies and other problems nearly wiped them out. But with grim determination, they survived. The Mayflower itself was retired four years later, mostly likely sold and dismantled for scrap timber.
On this day in 1826, 185 years ago, Anglo Texan settlers declared independence from Mexico, establishing the Fredonian Republic, which lasted exactly one year. It is considered the first phase of the Texan Revolution. Read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredonian_Rebellion
