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Richmond was first settled in 1607 by Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith, who navigated up the James River ten days after landing at Jamestown. The city was not known as "Richmond" until 1737, when it was laid out by Major William Mayo on land donated by Colonel William Byrd IIWilliam Byrd II provided the land where Richmond, Virginia was laid out in 1737. His father, William Byrd I, came from England to settle in Virginia. Byrd Park and Byrd Field (the original name for Richmond International Airport) are named after him..
In 1775Events February 9 American Revolutionary War: British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion March 23 American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech " give me liberty or give me death" in Williamsburg, Virginia. April 14 American Re, Patrick HenryThis article is about the American politician. For the French criminal, see Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry ( May 29, 1736 June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he was one of the most influ gave his famous " Give me Liberty or Give me DeathAn influential Speech from the Revolutionary War by Patrick Henry, Given at St. Johh's Church, in Richmond, Virginia. In attendence were Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. External links ." speech in St. John's Church at a meeting of the Second Continental Congress. Also in attendance at this meeting were Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson Other images: (, , ) Order 3rd President Term of Office Monday, March 4, 1801 Thursday, March 3, 1809 Followed John Adams Succeeded by James Madison Date of Birth April 13, 1743 Place of Birth Shadwell, Virginia Date of Death Tuesday, Jul and George WashingtonGeorge Washington ( February 22, 1732— December 14, 1799), also called Father of his Country 1 was an American general and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War ( 1775 1783) and later the first President of the Unite.
Richmond became the capital of Virginia in 1780Events January 16 American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cape St. Vincent February, Armed Neutrality of the North alliance formed between Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. March 26 The British Gazette and Sunday Monitor the first Sunday newspaper in Britain May.
During the American Civil WarThe American Civil War was fought in the United States from 1861 until 1865 between the northern states, popularly referred to as "the U. the Union," " the North," or "the Yankees"; and the seceding southern states, commonly referred to as "the Confederat, Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States of America. In April of 1865, Richmond was burned by a retreating Confederate Army and was returned to Northern control, becoming part of "Military District #1."
After the war, Richmond rebuilt, expanding largely to the west. Monument Avenue was laid out it 1887. Monument Avenue honors the city's Confederate heroes in a series of impressive monuments. In 1995, a controversial statue of Richmond native and tennis star Arthur Ashe was added to the series of statues on Monument Avenue.
Richmond had the first successful electrically-powered trolley system in the US. Designed by Frank Sprague, the trolley system opened its first line in January 1888. This accelerated Richmond's westward expansion.
For many years, the James River divided Richmond on the north bank from its sister, independent city of Manchester located on the south bank. In 1910, Manchester agreed to be consolidated with Richmond, assuming the better-known name for the entire area, and the James River became its centerpiece.