July 7, 1777 – Battle of Hubbardton

On July 5, 1777 General Arthur St. Clair’s forces, located at Fort Ticonderoga, began a withdraw in light of heavy British pressure. The American revolutionary forces marched from Ticonderoga, but the British were close on their heels.

Two days later in the early morning hours, British troops attacked the encamped rearguard of the American army at Hubbardton. The attack surprised the defenders and at first American units were fleeing from battle at breakneck speed. Soon the Americans were surrounded, but still they repulsed wave after wave of British troops. American General St. Clair sent for nearby militia to be thrown into the battle, but by the time he could relay the message they were already in full retreat. Still, the Americans held on and it looked as though they would be victorious against a superior enemy who had surrounded them in a surprise attack. At the last moment British reinforcements arrived sending the Americans in a full retreat across open ground where British musket fire ripped holes in the ranks of the already battered revolutionary forces.

Forces fighting in the woods near Hubbardton

July 7, 1937 – Battle of Lugou Bridge

After the invasion of Machuria in 1931, Japanese troops expanded rapidly throughout China occupying vast swaths of land. By the beginning of 1937 all areas north, east, and west of Beijing were occupied by Japanese forces. The major bridge still connecting Beijing to the outside world was the “Marco Polo Bridge” restored by the Kangxi emperor in the 17-18th century. The Japanese wanted control of the bridge and stationed troops on the southern side waiting for any opportunity to strike.

The Japanese held regular military maneuvers on their side of the bridge, but Chinese officials had asked that they were notified before commencing night maneuvers to prevent from disturbing Chinese civilians. On July 7, 1937 the Japanese army began maneuvers without notifying Chinese authorities. Chinese troops, on heightened alert, began firing a few ineffectual shots towards the Japanese camps. When a Japanese sentry did not return right away the Japanese chain of command was notified serving as a catalyst for Japanese hostilities. The Chinese and Japanese forces remained quiet for many hours, but eventually began assaulting the bridge for control. Less than a week later Chinese troops were totally defeated in the sector and the Japanese captured Beijing, thus beginning the Second-Sino-Japanese War

Troops defending the granite "Lugou Bridge"