Cahokia Heights in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

13 Star Day

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 1, 2019

1. 13 Star Day Marker

Inscription. In July 1778 Captain Joseph Bowman and a small band of rangers were dispatched by Col. Clark from Kaskaskia to Cahokia to offer the Cahokians the opportunity of becoming free as citizens of the Republic of Virginia. Cahokians were guaranteed all civil and religious liberties as had been so readily accepted at Vincennes and at Kaskaskia. There was no hesitation at Cahokia.

On the morning of the 7th day of July 1778, the first 13 Star Day. The populous of the village gathered here on the wedge while 105 "heads of households" swore allegiance to Virginia and the Continental Congress of the United States. They renounced "all loyalty to George the King of Great Britain."

For many years 13 Star Day was a celebrated festive holiday in Cahokia, and presently many Cahokians recount the joy of Cahokia becoming American on that day. May we never forget that great day.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is July 7, 1778.

Location. 38° 34.265′ N, 90° 11.293′ W. Marker is in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Marker is on East 1st Street just east of Church Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located along with several others around a clock structure at the Cahokia Wedge (a grassy area),

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across from Church of the Holy Family. It is also in front of the Cahokia Police/Jeremy Chambers Memorial marker, just a few steps away. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 124 Church Street, East Saint Louis IL 62206, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chief Pontiac (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Grand Plan (a few steps from this marker); Parks Air College (within shouting distance of this marker); Cahokia - The Birthplace of the Midwest (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Louis Downtown Airport (Parks Airport) (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Bowman (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahokia Heights.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 1, 2019

2. 13 Star Day Marker

Behind the marker is the Jeremy Chambers Memorial.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.