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Great Peace
New France signs Great Peace of Montreal with 39 First Nations, ending "Beaver Wars" -
The Beginning of 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. -
New Jersey
Royal Colony of New Jersey established by Queen Anne from separate provinces of East New Jersey and West New Jersey. -
Siege of St. Augustine
Siege of St. Augustine, one of the first conflicts of Queen Anne's War, the second of four French and Indian Wars between New France and the English colonists, this time including New Spain on the side of France. -
Attack on Deerfield by French and Native Forces
During Queen Anne's War, Deerfield, Massachusetts is attacked by French and Native American forces with fifty-six killed and over one hundred captured and carried off. -
Boston Newsletter
The first regular newspaper publishes its first edition in Boston; The Boston News-Letter. It was begun by John Campbell, the postmaster. -
Virginia Slave Code
Virginia Slave Code passed in the Virginia House of Burgesses, greatly restricting the rights and actions of slaves. -
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is born in Boston, Massachusetts. -
Tuscarora War
The Tuscarora War begins in North Carolina between tribe of the Southern Tuscarora and their allies against the English and German colonists. -
End of Queen Anne's War
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. -
First Colonial Theater Comes to Williamsburg
The first theater in the colonies to open for business in Williamsburg, Virginia -
War of the Quadruple Alliance
French soldier Bienville attacks and captures Pensacola after the War of the Quadruple Alliance is declared between France and Spain. Spain wants to reclaim land lost previously. -
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Dummer's War
Declaration of war occurs (Dummer's War) after skirmishes over borderlines earlier in the year between New England colonists and the Wabanaki Confederacy, backed by New France. -
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams is born in Boston, Massachusetts. -
Peace between New England and Native Allies of the French
Battle of Pequawket in Dummer's War leads to peace treaties between the colonies of New England and the Indian allies of New France between 1725-1727. -
The Pennsylvania Gazette
Benjamin Franklin buys an interest in the Pennsylvania Gazette, founded one year earlier by Samuel Keimer. -
The First Great Awakening
Public lecture in Boston by Jonathan Edwards, later published as "God Glorified in the Work of Redemption, by the Greatness of Man's Dependence upon Him, in the Whole of It," leads to the movement of the First Great Awakening. -
The Library Company
Benjamin Franklin begins the Library Company of Philadelphia -
George Washington
George Washington is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. -
Excise Crises
Sir Richard Wampole fails to change the import taxation system after widespread protest from a tax on imports at custom houses to an excise tax in the English Excise Crises, had promised to lower land taxes. -
Freedom of Press
Freedom of the Press became recognized in New York after the trial of John Peter Zenger, who had been accused of libeling the British Government in his Weekly Journal. Zenger was acquitted on that date. -
George Whitefield
Anglican minister George Whitefield arrives for his first of seven visits to North America and becomes the predominant preacher in the First Great Awakening movement throughout the colonies. -
Stono Rebellion
The largest major slave rebellion in the mainland colonies of English, the Stono Rebellion, begins in South Carolina. (Kills 25 colonists and many more Africans) -
Another Slave Revolt
Twenty-nine years after the first revolt of slaves in New York, a second uprising occurs. Seventeen slaves were hanged after the revolt, thirteen burned, and seventy deported. -
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King George's War
First battle of King George's War begins with raid by New French against the British port of Canso. Four year conflict against northern British colonies takes heavy toll after battles in Maine and Fort Louisbourg in New France over territorial disputes, resulting in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, but failed to settle outstanding issues. -
Commerce in Ohio Approved
The petition of the Ohio Company to be granted two hundred thousand acres in approved by King George II of England to settle and engage in commerce in the territory of Ohio. -
England Continues to Control the American Economy and Trade
British Parliament enacts the Iron Act to protect their iron forges from American competition and control the iron trade in the colonies. -
The Currency Act
British Parliament passes the Currency Act to control the use of paper money in the New England colonies and plantations. -
The Lightning Rod
Ben Franklin invented the lightning rod to protect people and structures from the massive electric charge. This invention lead to the study and use of electricity with its capabilities and features. -
George Washington at 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 refused to leave Virginia territory. -
Battle of Fort Necessity
Battle of Fort Necessity occurs in southwestern Pennsylvania in a small fort built for supplies. That battle of the French and Indian War ends in a peace document, allowing Washington's withdrawal and surrender of the fort. -
Fort Williams
French capture Fort William Henry (New York) after a six day siege. (Written about in the Last of the Mohicans) -
Royal Proclimation
King George III issues the Royal Proclamation of 1763, limiting the westward expansion of the American colonies. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act places a duty on various commodities, including lumber, food, molasses, and rum in the British colonies. -
Stamp Act
British Parliament passes the Stamp Act to pay for British troops in the American colonies and cover war debts. -
Declaration of Rights
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. -
Stamp Act Repealed
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Townshend Acts
Additional levies are put on goods in American colonies by the British Government when the Townshend Acts are enacted, including levies on glass, painter's lead, paper, and tea. All would be repealed in three years, except for the tax on tea. -
Boston Massacre
British troops fired into a Boston crowd, who were demonstrating against British troops at the customs commission. This event is credited as the first battle in the American Revolution, which began five years later, and was used to further the colonists cause of rebellion. -
Committee of Correspondence
Samuel Adams organized the Committee of Correspondence, a forerunner of the union of American colonies that essentially begins the American Revolution. -
Rights of the Colonists Document
Samuel Adams writes his Rights of the Colonists document, The Report of the Committee of Correspondence to the Boston Town Meeting. -
Faneuil Hall Meeting
The first organized meeting of colonists in Faneuil Hall to decide what to do about the tea problem occurs after the first ship, the Dartmouth, arrives at the Griffin wharf in Boston with the cargo. -
Boston Tea Party
When the English East India Company sought financial assistance, England allows the company to ship surplus tea to America at low cost. Colonists, angry and fed up with England's actions, revolted against the English control of tea and unfair taxes, causing them to board the ships and destroy the tea in the Boston Tea Party. 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. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress is held in Philadelphia, protesting the Intolerable Acts. The Congress, attended by all American colonies except Georgia, petitioned King George to stop the new regulations on Massachusetts, and called for civil disobedience and boycotts of British wares by the American Association. No concessions were made by the King or English parliament. -
Fairfax County Militia
George Mason and George Washington form the Fairfax County Militia Association, which is independent of British control. -
The British Government Declares That Massachusetts is in Rebellion
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"Give me liberty, or give me death"
Patrick Henry addresses the Virginia House of Burgesses in St. John’s Church in Richmond, where he decreed, “Give me Liberty or Give me Death.” His speech is often credited with convincing Virginia to permit Virginia troops to enter the Revolutionary War. -
The American Revolution Begins
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. 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. -
Washington Takes Over Command of the Continental Army
The Continental Congress appoints George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine, an English writer, publishes his pamphlet "Common Sense," touting the ability and right of America to create a democratic and free nation -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, from the pen of Thomas Jefferson and his committee, is approved in the Second Continental Congress, held in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware to Trenton
At McKonkey's Ferry, General Washington and his 2,400 troops cross the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey on Christmas Day from 4 p.m. until 4 a.m. the next morning and defeats 1,400 Hessians in the 1st Battle of Trenton, capturing 900 men. -
Victory at Princeton
General Washington and the 7,000 man Continental Army defeats British General Charles Cornwallis at Princeton, New Jersey. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union are adopted by the Continental Congress -
France Allies With American Colonists
After John Adams, elected commissioner to France by the Continental Congress, and Benjamin Franklin engage their support for the Revolutionary War, France recognizes the independence of the 13 colonies, signing treaties of alliance and commerce. French involvement becomes the turning point of the war. -
Valley Forge
After failing victory in the battles of Brandywine, Battle of the Clouds, Paoli, and Germantown, and in response to the British capture of Philadelphia, George Washington marches his 11,000 man Continental Army into Valley Forge for the first winter encampment. -
South Carolina Ratifies the Articles of Confederation
South Carolina becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation. -
British Evacuate Philadelphia
British evacuate Philadelphia to reinforce their troops in New York City in response to the French getting involved in the conflict -
Battle of Savannah Lost to the British
The first battle of Savannah, Georgia is lost to the British -
Constitutional Convention
A compromise during the Constitutional Convention (presided over by Washington) proposed by Roger Sherman of Connecticut solves the problem of the amount of votes each state would receive in Congress. A bicameral legislature would be enacted, with equal votes for the Senate and proportional representation based on population in the House of Representatives. -
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
France signs the treaty of Amity and Commerce with the United States, officially recognizing the new nation. -
George Washington Dies
George Washington, the 1st commander of the Revolution and President of the United States, dies at his estate in Virginia. -
Charleston Falls to the British
Charleston, South Carolina falls to the British after siege -
French Troops Arrive at Newport
French troops set foot on American soil at Newport, Rhode Island, to fight alongside the Patriot militiamen of the Continental Army -
Battle of Kings Mountain
Loyalist troops fighting for Britain are beaten at the Battle of Kings Mountain by the over-mountain men, who kill the opposition leader British Major General Patrick Ferguson. This battle reversed the southern fortunes of the British during the Revolutionary War. -
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Franklin Invents Bi-focals
Prompted by poor vision both near and far, and tired of putting his glasses on and off, Benjamin Franklin invents bi-focals. -
Siege of Yorktown
General George Washington and Rochambeau join forces near Williamsburg. On October 6, they begin the siege of Cornwall at Yorktown -
England Recognizes US Independence
Lord North resigns as British Prime Minister, leading the way for a New British cabinet to agree to recognize United States independence. -
Treaty of Paris
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. -
The End of the War
Congress ratifies the preliminary peace treaty, ending the Revolutionary War. -
Massachusetts Outlaws Slavery
Massachusetts Supreme Court outlaws slavery, citing the state Bill of Rights "all men are born free and equal." -
Rhode Island Emancipation Act
Rhode Island's passage of its Emancipation Act provided for the gradual abolishment of the right to hold slaves. -
Trade Resumes
Trade with Great Britain is restored and the first American cotton is shipped -
Davy Crockett is Born
American frontiersman David "Davy" Crockett is born -
First President of the US
George Washington is elected unanimously by the Electoral College as the 1st President of the United States -
Inaguration
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. -
The First Session of the Supreme Cort
The Supreme Court of the United States convenes for the initial session -
The First Bank of the US Chartered
The First Bank of the United States chartered in Philadelphia for twenty years by the United States Congress, part of the three part expansion of federal fiscal policy, including a federal mint and excise taxes. -
Vermont Becomes 14th State
Vermont is added as the 14th State. Carved from portions of New York and New Hampshire, and first known as New Connecticut, Vermont spent fourteen years as an independent republic before joining the Union. -
Steamboat Patented
The steamboat is patented in the United States by John Fitch. -
Bill of Rights
In Philadelphia's Congress Hall, the Bill of Rights, which constitutes the first ten amendments to the Constitution, takes effect -
Cotton Gin Invented
Cotton gin, machine for cleaning cotton of its seeds, invented in the United States by Eli Whitney in 1793. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion occurs when western Pennsylvania farmers in the Monongahela Valley, upset over the liquor tax passed in 1791, are suppressed by 15,000 militia sent by Alexander Hamilton to establish the authority of the federal government to uphold its laws. -
11th Amendment to the Constitution
The United States passes the 11th amendment to the U.S. Constitution on the subject of each state's sovereign immunity. -
Treaty of Madrid
The Treaty of Madrid is signed, establishing the boundaries between the Spanish Colonies and the United States -
John Adams Becomes President
John Adams succeeds George Washington as president of the United States, with Thomas Jefferson as Vice President -
New York Passes Law to Abolish Slavery
A law is passed to abolish slavery in the state of New York, effective twenty-eight years later, in 1827.