Shays’ Rebellion begins: Former Captain Daniel Shays, of the Continental Army, who resigned after wounds suffered at the Battle of Saratoga, and went unpaid for his service, organizes 1,600 veterans of the first American Revolution into the Regulator Militia to resist the Direct tax (“a tax exacted directly from the person on whom the ultimate burden of the tax is expected to fall, such as property, income, gift, inheritance, and poll taxes.”——  Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary) imposed upon western farmers to pay war debts to Bostonian and European bankers.  The veterans had been paid in Continental notes (Bills of Credit), but the bankers demanded to be paid in lawful Money (gold and silver Coin).  Many of the veterans lost their farms as a result of these conditions.

      [updated 7/17/2026] Thanks to Chuck McGlawn for this entry.