Richard Platt (military officer) facts for kids

Richard Platt (1754 - 1830) was an important person in early American history. He helped Alexander McDougall during the Revolutionary War. Platt also helped organize a big parade in New York City in 1788. This parade celebrated the new U.S. Constitution. Platt was also part of a group called the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York. He served as their Treasurer, working with Alexander Hamilton, who was the group's Vice President.

Celebrating the U.S. Constitution

Richard Platt was in charge of planning New York's big parade in 1788. This parade, called the Federal Procession of 1788, celebrated the new United States Constitution. Many people thought New York had already agreed to the Constitution. But actually, they had not yet approved it when the parade was planned.

The Constitution needed nine states to agree to it before it could start. When New Hampshire became the ninth state to agree on June 21, 1788, people in New York City wanted to celebrate. They planned a parade for July 22. They hoped New York would have agreed by then.

As the parade date got closer, New York still had not approved the Constitution. But Richard Platt decided they could not wait any longer. People were very excited about the new Constitution. He said it was "impossible any longer to oppose this patriotic ardor of their fellow citizens."

New York's parade finally happened on July 23, 1788. By that time, Virginia had also agreed to the Constitution. This meant ten states had now approved it. So, New York's parade had ten different groups. These groups included merchants, tradesmen, and other workers. Each group celebrated one of the states that had agreed to the Constitution.

Richard Platt's Other Important Groups

Helping End Slavery

On February 15, 1787, Richard Platt joined the New York Manumission Society. This group worked to help free enslaved people. Another famous member of this society was Alexander Hamilton.

Society of the Cincinnati

On July 8, 1788, Platt was chosen as the Treasurer for the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York. This group was for officers who had served in the Revolutionary War. He worked with Alexander Hamilton, who became the group's Vice President on the same day.