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the Queen-Anne's War
British Troops begin a nine day siege on the French fort, Port Royal in Nova Scotia, before capturing it for the crown in the Queen-Anne's War -
Yale University
An Act for Liberty to Erect a Collegiate School in Saybrook is passed by the Colony of Connecticut. It would become Yale University. -
the News-Letter
The first regular newspaper publishes its initial edition in Boston, the News-Letter. It was begun by John Campbell, the postmaster -
The Queen Anne's War ends
The Queen Anne's War ends with the French signing a treaty in the series of Treaties of Utrecht to give Nova Scotia to the British. -
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Dummer's War
Declaration of war occurs in Dummer's War after skirmishes earlier in the year between New England colonists and the Wabanaki Confederacy, backed by New France. Lasted three years until December 15, 1725. -
George Washington was born
George Washington is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. -
Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod
Benjamin Franklin invents the lightning rod after earlier in the year proving that lightning was electricity by flying a kite in a thunderstorm. -
George Washington and his troops attack Fort Duquesne
George Washington and his troops attack Fort Duquesne, an initial action of the French and Indian War between the English and French which began when French forces built and occupied Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh and did not heed warnings to leave Virginia territory. -
The war between France and India ended with a peace treaty
French and Indian War ends with peace treaty that cedes Canada and the American midwest to English. This signals and effectively tightens the control of Great Britain's colonial administration of North America. -
The Sugar Act
The Sugar Act places a duty on various commodities, including lumber, food, molasses, and rum in the British colonies. -
the Stamp Act
After the establishment of the Stamp Act by the British Government on March 22, which required revenue stamps, taxes, to pay for British troops, nine American colonies hold a Stamp Act Congress in New York and adopted a Declaration of Rights against taxation without representation. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurs when British troops fire into a Boston mob, who were demonstrating against British troops at the customs commission. The first to fall was Crispus Attucks, a fugitive slave and merchant seaman near the front, followed by four other men amongst the forty-fifty patriots. This event was later credited as the first battle in the American Revolution, which began five years later, and was used as an incident to further the colonists cause of rebellion. -
William Clark was born
William Clark, explorer noted for his Lewis and Clark Expedition, and later Governor of the Missouri Territory and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, is born. -
Samuel Adams organized the communications committee
Samuel Adams organizes the Committee of Correspondence, a forerunner of the union of American colonies, that begins the American Revolution. The meeting was held in Faneuil Hall, Boston, and later repeated throughout the American colonies. -
Boston Tea Party
Bostonians led by Josiah Quincy and Samuel Adams discussed the new British tax on tea and subsequently boarded three ships in the nearby harbor, tossing the 342 chests of tea overboard. The Boston Tea Party caused Parliament to close the port of Boston and pushed the American colonies one step closer to war. -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts, including the reestablishment of the Quartering Act, requiring colonists allow British soldiers into their homes, and the curtailment of Massachusetts self-rule, are enacted by the British government. Later led to the 3rd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the U.S. Army from doing the same. -
Lexington shooting
Two lanterns were hung from the steeple of Old North Church by sexton Robert Newman as Paul Revere and William Dawes rode through the night, warning patriots that the British were coming to Concord to destroy arms. The next day, during armed resistance, 8 Minutemen were killed at Lexington and the British took 273 casualties on their return from Concord, starting the American Revolution. -
Continental Congress appoints George Washington Army Commander-in-Chief
The Continental Congress appoints George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, sending him to Boston with the task to take charge of the ragtag militia there. -
Declaration of Independence
The "Declaration of Independence" written by Thomas Jefferson and his committee was approved at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Four days later, the Declaration of Independence was first publicly announced outside Philadelphia’s Provincial House of Representatives, triggering celebrations throughout the city. Celebrating freedom and freedom among civilians and soldiers, they will soon fight to consolidate their position in 13 colonies. -
The Continental Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the national flag.
The Continental Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. It would later fly on the battlefield for the first time on September 3rd at Cooch’s Bridge, Delaware. -
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union are adopted by the Continental Congress in Independence Hall. It serves as the first constitution of the United States. -
France signs the treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States
France signs the treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States, officially recognizing the new nation, and sends Pierre L’Enfant to be captain of engineers at Valley Forge. Later, L’Enfant would be commissioned to design the capital city of the United States, Washington, D.C. -
British Parliament agrees to the recognition of U.S
British Parliament agrees to the recognition of U.S. independence. A preliminary peace treaty, later formalized as the "Treaty of Paris" is signed between American and British officials in Paris on November 30. -
Signing the peace treaty officially
In Paris, France, John Adams leads an American delegation and signs the peace treaty officially ending the Revolutionary War between the United States and Britain. -
Washington becomes the first president of the United States
The 1st President, George Washington, is inaugurated in New York City. He had been chosen president by all voting electors (there was no direct presidential election) with John Adams elected Vice President. -
Ginning machine was invented
Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin, which could do the work of fifty men when cleaning cotton by hand. -
President George Washington gives his final address as president
President George Washington gives his final address as president, published in the American Daily Advertiser, urging strong warnings against permanent foreign alliances, large public debt, and a large military establishment. -
George Washington dies
George Washington, the 1st commander of the Revolution and President of the United States, passes at his estate in Virginia.
