March 17th in Christ

Here are some notable events in Protestant Christian history that occurred on March 17th, based on historical records:

1649: The Rump Parliament in England abolished the House of Lords, a significant step during the English Civil War and Commonwealth period. This act was driven by Puritan-led Parliamentarians, many of whom were staunch Protestants opposing the monarchy and the Anglican establishment tied to the Lords. The abolition reflected the radical Protestant push for a reformed governance structure, free from what they saw as Catholic-leaning traditions, and marked a high point of Puritan influence in reshaping English society along more egalitarian, Protestant lines.
1737: English evangelist George Whitefield delivered his first sermon in America at St. Mary-le-Bow in Philadelphia, just three days after arriving in the colonies. A key figure in the Great Awakening, Whitefield’s preaching sparked widespread revival among Protestant denominations, emphasizing personal conversion and emotional engagement over institutional formalism. His tour galvanized colonial Protestantism, bridging divides between denominations like Presbyterians, Baptists, and Congregationalists, and laid groundwork for a distinctly American evangelical identity.
1776: During the American Revolution, British forces evacuated Boston, ending the Siege of Boston after George Washington fortified Dorchester Heights. Many of the American troops and leaders, including Washington, were Protestants—often Congregationalists or Presbyterians—whose religious convictions fueled their resistance to British rule, seen as tied to Anglican oppression. This victory bolstered the morale of the largely Protestant colonial forces, reinforcing their sense of divine favor in the fight for liberty, a theme prevalent in Revolutionary sermons.
These events highlight Protestantism’s role in political upheaval, revivalism, and revolutionary fervor on March 17th across different centuries. They reflect the movement’s emphasis on reform, personal faith, and resistance to perceived tyranny, shaping both religious and secular history.