August 23 in American History
Settlers in what's now east Tennessee broke from North Carolina and declared their own state, named for Ben Franklin. It ran its own government for four years — barter economy, homespun constitution — before collapsing back into the Union's arms. America's forgotten 14th state that almost was.
In 1784: the State of Franklin declares itself. Settlers in what's now east Tennessee broke from North Carolina and declared their own state, named for Ben Franklin.
Settlers in what's now east Tennessee broke from North Carolina and declared their own state, named for Ben Franklin. It ran its own government for four years — barter economy, homespun constitution — before collapsing back into the Union's arms. America's forgotten 14th state that almost was.
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