On this Day... January 6

CEBU, Philippines – In 1759, George Washington married Martha Custis in the White House - not the US White House, but her elegant mansion on the Pamunkey River in Virginia. Both were beautifully dressed, George in a blue coat lined with red silk and trimmed with silver, and Martha in "becoming finery" with "pearls glistening in her ears." Martha had the added advantage of being a rich widow; her silver service later went into the minting of the first U.S. coins!

• In 1783, the generous Jewish banker Haym Salomon died. He'd helped finance the American Revolutionary War, with funds for the army, loans for armaments, and advances for officers and foreign agents. He even paid for the outfitting of soldiers. Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe all acknowledge their debt to him, while the British twice imprisoned him and sentenced him to death. He escaped, but when the war was over his family was left penniless. The government never repaid the loans, and despite the fortune he gave for his country, the only official gratitude ever expressed was the printing of his likeness on a ten-cent stamp!

- from Today's the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

• In 1924, in England the first worship service broadcast over radio from a church was aired by the British Broadcasting Company. The service was conducted by H.R.L. Shepherd at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church.

- from This Day in Christian History By William D. Blake

In the Philippines

• In 1812, Melchora Aquino de Ramos, who became known as "Tandang Sora," was born in Balintawak. It can be recalled that despite her old age, Tandang Sora opened her doors to Katipuneros who risked their lives during the revolution. Tandang Sora was already 84 at the time when secret meetings of the Katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio were held at her house. She kept the spirits of the Katipuneros alive by providing them with food, clothing and shelter. Charged with aiding the Katipunan, Tandang Sora was arrested by the Guardia Civil in Barrio Pasong Putik, Novaliches and jailed at the Bilibid Prison in Manila. In complete disregard of her age and gender, the Spanish authorities exiled her to Guam, where she stayed for seven years as a servant. Tandang Sora came home to her native land on February 26, 1903 at the age of 91. She died in 1919 at the age of 107.

- kahimyang.info

In Cebu

• In 1622, a battle between a Spanish expeditionary force and 1,500 rebels in Bohol took place. The Spanish force consisted of 50 Spanish and 1,000 Cebuano troops under Juan de Alcarazo, alcalde mayor of Cebu. The Bohol rebellion was quelled after two weeks.

• In 1961, Toledo was formally inaugurated as a chartered city, under Republic Act No. 2688.

- from Cebuano Studies Center, University of San Carlos