Who first called this country the ‘United States of America’? It would seem a very important question, and yet there is no completely definitive answer. Many people assume it was Thomas Jefferson, with the Declaration of Independence, but the title was certainly used before that—by Continental Congress delegate Elbridge Gerry, for instance, as well as more than one newspaper. So what is the earliest verifiable use of the name? For that, we’ll have to go to a Jan. 2, 1776 letter from a nearly forgotten hero of the American Revolution: Stephen Moylan.
I recall hearing that the country was known as “these United States” in the early years, a designation changed to “the United States” after the Civil War, in an effort to reunify the country. I sometimes wish we were still more a nation of states. Interesting piece.
I recall hearing that the country was known as “these United States” in the early years, a designation changed to “the United States” after the Civil War, in an effort to reunify the country. I sometimes wish we were still more a nation of states. Interesting piece.