Button Gwinnett was a British-born American Founding Father who, as a representative of Georgia to the Continental Congress, was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. Gwinnett was briefly the provisional president of Georgia in 1777, and Gwinnett County was named for him. He was named in honor of his mother’s cousin, Barbara Button, who became his godmother. Gwinnett was killed in a duel by rival Lachlan McIntosh following a dispute after a failed invasion of East Florida.
Button Gwinnett, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, is wounded in a duel with Continental Army officer Lachlan McIntosh, dying of his injuries several days later.
On May 16, in the year 1777, Button Gwinnett, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, is wounded in a duel with Continental Army officer Lachlan McIntosh, dying of his injuries several days later. This event is recorded as a Selected Events event in the history of May 16, one of 403 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on May 16, 1777 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Selected Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 5 Wikipedia articles.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 15 May 2026.
On This Date in History 403
This article draws on content from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More on May 16
At least 12 people were killed and 70 others injured when two bombs exploded in a market in Nairobi, Kenya
On 16 May 2014, two improvised explosive devices were detonated simultaneously in the Gikomba market in Nairobi, Kenya, killing at least 12 people and injuring 70. The first blast…
At least 12 people were killed and 70 others injured when two bombs exploded in a market in Nairobi, Kenya
The first Chuck E
Chuck E. Cheese is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded in May 17, 1977. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, each location features arcade games, amusement rides and mus…
The first Chuck E
Based on the results of a referendum held about one month earlier, the Kingdom of Sikkim (flag pictured) abolished its m
The Kingdom of Sikkim officially Dremoshong until the 1800s, was a hereditary monarchy in the Eastern Himalayas that existed from 1642 to 16 May 1975, when it was annexed by India…
Based on the results of a referendum held about one month earlier, the Kingdom of Sikkim (flag pictured) abolished its m
Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest
Junko Tabei was a Japanese mountaineer, author and teacher. She was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and ascend the Seven Summits, climbing the highest peak o…
Japanese climber Junko Tabei (pictured) became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest
Led by Park Chung Hee, the Military Revolution Committee carried out a bloodless coup against the government of Yun Po-s
Park Chung Hee was a South Korean politician and army officer who served as the third president of South Korea from 1962 after he seized power in the May 16 coup of 1961 until his…
Led by Park Chung Hee, the Military Revolution Committee carried out a bloodless coup against the government of Yun Po-s
American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu
Theodore Harold Maiman was an American engineer and physicist who is widely credited with the invention of the laser. Maiman's laser led to the subsequent development of many othe…
American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu
Comments 0
Sign in to join the discussion.