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Today in History: Button Gwinnett fatally wounded in duel with McIntosh

5/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On May 16, 1777, Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and former governor of Georgia, was wounded in a duel with Lachlan McIntosh in Savannah, Georgia. The conflict arose from a personal dispute, and Gwinnett succumbed to his injuries several days later, marking a tragic moment in American history.

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Story summary

On May 16, 1777, Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and former governor of Georgia, was wounded in a duel with Lachlan McIntosh in Savannah, Georgia. The conflict arose from a personal dispute, and Gwinnett succumbed to his injuries several days later, marking a tragic moment in American history.