1754: In the Battle of Fort Necessity, George Washington surrendered to a larger French force. His British superiors criticized him and denied him his goal of serving in His Majesty’s army. A disheartened Washington resigned his commission. Had he been treated better, he might have commanded the British side of the Revolutionary War.
1775: George Washington took control of the Continental Army.
1881: Doctors repeatedly probed James Garfield’s wound with unwashed hands and instruments to find and remove the bullet.