Huntington not Hanson First USCA President

Samuel Huntington's role as the first President of the United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) under the Articles of Confederation has been officially recognized, correcting a long-standing historical inaccuracy. This significant revision in the historical record has been acknowledged by major national institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress.

Key Points of the Correction

Official Start Date: The Articles of Confederation government officially began on March 1, 1781. This date marks the beginning of Samuel Huntington's presidency as the first USCA President.

Reversal of Previous Position: This correction overturns the 1903 Congressional position that had erroneously placed John Hanson as the first USCA President, beginning on November 5, 1781.

Succession of Presidents: The updated record now reflects the following order of USCA Presidents:

1. Samuel Huntington (March 1, 1781 - July 6, 1781)
2. Samuel Johnston (elected July 9, 1781, but declined)
3. Thomas McKean (elected July 10, 1781)

Institutional Changes

Smithsonian Institution: The Smithsonian has removed a plaque from "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" exhibit that incorrectly identified John Hanson as the first President under the Articles of Confederation.

National Archives and Library of Congress: These institutions have updated their websites and exhibits to reflect the correct historical information regarding the USCA presidency.

Historical Significance

This correction is crucial for accurately representing early American history. Samuel Huntington's role as the first USCA President is now properly recognized, aligning public history with verified historical research. This change emphasizes the importance of the Articles of Confederation period in the formation of the United States government.

Advocacy and Research

The correction comes after extensive research and advocacy efforts, particularly by historian Stanley Yavneh Klos. His work has contributed significantly to this historical revision and has led to calls for Maryland to cease funding initiatives that promote John and Jane Hanson as the first President and First Lady of the United States.

This correction of the historical record after 102 years underscores the ongoing nature of historical research and the importance of revising public knowledge when new evidence comes to light. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often misunderstood nature of early American governance and the evolution of the presidency.

One of the notable updates includes the Smithsonian Institution’s removal of a plaque in The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden exhibit, which had previously misattributed John Hanson as the first President under the Articles of Confederation. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to align public history with verified historical research, ensuring that Samuel Huntington’s role as the initial USCA President is accurately represented across national archives and museums.

Additionally, on its website in April 2015, the Smithsonian Institute changed:

  

“John Hanson served as the first president of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation from 1781 to 1782” --

--TO-- 

“John Hanson served as an early President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation from 1781 to 1782.”

The United States National Archives, in May 2015, changed its website from:

  

“When all the states ratified the Articles of Confederation in 1781, they voted for the first President. John Hanson from Maryland was the first man to serve as the elected President of Congress under the Articles of Confederation, thus making him acting President of the United States” 

--TO-- 

“When all the states ratified the Articles of Confederation in 1781, they voted for the first President. John Hanson from Maryland was the first man to serve a full, one year term as the elected President of Congress under the Articles of Confederation, thus making him (the third*) acting President of the United States. … *Although John Hanson was the first elected to the position to serve a full 1 year term, two other individuals were elected President during or after the ratification of the Articles of Confederation: Samuel Huntington (1779) and Thomas McKean (1781).”

The Library of Congress, in May 2015, changed its website from:

  

“John Hanson (1715-1783), a delegate from Maryland, was elected the first President of Congress under the Articles of Confederation. ... Some people claim that John Hanson rather than George Washington should be considered the first president." 

--TO-- 

"Between March 1, 1781, when the Articles of Confederation were enacted, and November 5, 1781, when a new Congress convened, Samuel Huntington and Thomas McKean served briefly as presidents of the body. Samuel Johnston had declined the presidency when elected. When Congress met on November 5, 1781, it elected John Hanson (1715-1783), delegate from Maryland, as its president. In this letter, Charles Thomson (1729-1824), secretary of the Continental Congress informs George Washington of Hanson's election. According to the Articles, the president of Congress presided only over Congress; George Washington, chosen after the ratification of the Federal Constitution, was the first president of the United States."

Historian Stanley Klos, who keynoted the re-entombment of President Samuel and Martha Huntington in 2003, remarked:

"It has been a long battle but our determination finally blossomed and the federal government has begun to reverse its 1903 Articles of Confederation errors. Now our attention has turned to the People of Maryland and their elected Representatives. On July 2nd, 2015, we wrote the Governor and Legislature requesting that Maryland cease and desist funding the promotion of John Hanson as the first President to either serve or be elected under the Articles of Confederation Constitution.

"To view Mr. Klos' letter to the State of Maryland, please Click Here. 

To view Mr. Klos' latest correspondence with the Library of Congress, National Archives, and Smithsonian Institute Click Here

Students and Teachers of US History this is a video of Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The December 2015 video was an impromptu capture by a member of the audience of Penn students, professors and guests that numbered about 200. -- Download  Curriculum Here

U.S. Dollar Presidential Coin Mr. Klos vs Secretary Paulson - Click Here