May 9 in American History

May 9, 1754 — "Join, or Die"

Benjamin Franklin published the first American political cartoon — a snake cut into pieces, each labeled with a colony, above the caption "JOIN, or DIE." He meant it to rally the colonies during the French and Indian War, but it took on new life two decades later as a symbol of revolutionary unity. The original American call to stand together.

Common Questions

What happened on May 9 in American history?

In 1754: "Join, or Die". Benjamin Franklin published the first American political cartoon — a snake cut into pieces, each labeled with a colony, above the caption "JOIN, or DIE." He meant it to rally the colonies during the French and Indian War, but it took on new life two decades later as a symbol of revolutionary unity.

Why is May 9 significant?

Benjamin Franklin published the first American political cartoon — a snake cut into pieces, each labeled with a colony, above the caption "JOIN, or DIE." He meant it to rally the colonies during the French and Indian War, but it took on new life two decades later as a symbol of revolutionary unity. The original American call to stand together.

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