What happened on July 20 - Interesting US History

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A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

July 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run Begins
in the American Civil War

On this day in 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run began in the American Civil War. The First Battle of Bull Run (also known as the First Battle of Manassas by the Confederates), was the first major land battle of the American Civil War. It was fought in Manassas, Virginia, only about 30 miles from Washington DC.

Although initially the Confederate army was pushed back, in the afternoon, Confederate reinforcements arrived and broke the Union right flank sending the Union troops fleeing in panic. Few expected the level of violence and number of casualties during the battle and when the dust had settled, both sides realized that the war may last longer than originally expected.

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◦	Myth: George Washington was the First President of the United States
◦	Myth: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone
◦	Myth: Daniel Boone wore a coonskin cap
◦	Myth: Betsy Ross designed the first American flag
◦	Myth: Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin
◦	Myth: Christopher Columbus discovered the earth is round
◦	Myth: Abraham Lincoln's childhood log cabin is on display in Hodgenville, Kentucky
◦	Myth: The Civil War was all about slavery
◦	Myth: In April of 1775, Paul Revere rode through the streets from Boston to Lexington yelling "The British Are Coming"
◦	Myth: The Pilgrims lived in log cabins
◦	Myth: During the Civil War, Lincoln once said about Grant's drinking: "If I knew what brand he used, I'd send every general a barrel"
◦	Myth: Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly nonstop across the Atlantic
◦	Myth: George Washington fathered several children by his slaves
◦	Myth: The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on Bunker Hill
◦	Myth: When Confederate president, Jefferson Davis was arrested after the Civil War, he was wearing his wife's clothes
◦	Myth: The Liberty Bell rang on July 4, 1776 in celebration of American independence
◦	Myth: The reason Germany got off to such a fast start in World War II was because of its pre-war preparations

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July 21, 1861

The First Battle of Bull Run Begins in the American Civil War

The First Battle of Bull Run Begins
in the American Civil War