US history entwined with rum

[stockdoct]

Wikipedia, on it's explanation of July 4th holiday, recounts certain moments of history important to July fourth.

In 1778, for instance, General George Washington celebrated the holiday with his troops with the only thing available; he doubled their rations of rum for that day.


Any other tidbits of U.S. history that involve rum?

[Cane/Able]

I highly recommend Wayne Curtis's book, And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails
It is a well done and interesting read.

Or are you looking for more specific events?

[Aaron Wolin]

I second the recommendation of Curtis's And a Bottle of Rum.

It's a great read and covers many points in American history through the perspective of rum, such as the Molasses Tax uproar and how rum grog with limes helped sailors with scurvy on the high seas.

[rusty]

Originally Posted by stockdoct

Any other tidbits of U.S. history that involve rum?

I 3rd it

...... actually I 1st-ed it a few months back with this thread:
http://ministryofrum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3760