-
Boston Massacre
In Boston, a group of townspeople gathered as a mob around a group of redcoats. The townspeople were outraged about the taxes the British were puting on them. As they threw balls of snow and ice at them, the townspeople shouted and were waving clubs around. So the British fired into the crowd without command, killing a few of them, including African-American, Crispus Attucks. -
Boston Tea Party
Boston townspeople were livid when 3 ships came into their harbor with more tea. They knew they would have to pay taxes on it. So about 200 men climbed aboard the ships, and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
About 700 British soldiers were given secret orders to destroy military supplies kept by the Massachusetts military at Concord. The Massachusetts military found out and got ready to fight the British off. The first shots were at Lexington. The Massachusetts military was outnumbered, so they went to Concord for supplies. Minutemen fought at the North Bridge at Concord. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This attack took place on the Charlestown Peninsula on Boston Harbor. The American soldiers were attacked by the British soldiers on Breed's Hill. The British won the fight, but suffered many deaths and wounded soldiers. -
Declaration of Independence Signing
The Declaration of Independence, made for King George to see that the colonies wanted independence, was approved and signed by the Continental Congress on July 4. Hence, INDEPENDENCE DAY. Or THE 4TH OF JULY. -
Battle of New York
General Howe, the British general, landed 12,000 men in Manhattan, and took control of New York. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington led the Continental Army into Trenton against the Hessian army. Most of the entire Hessian army was taken captive, over 900 of them. It is an American victory. -
Battle of Princeton
George Washington decides to attack Princeton, where Charles Mawhood of the British army was. Mawhoods troops retreated to Trenton, where Cornwallis was. The British troops who had taken shelter in Nassau Hall were forced to surrender by John Sullivan, ending the battle with an American victory, just a week after Trenton. -
Battle of Saratoga
John Burgoyne wanted to split the New England colonies from the other colonies. His plan was going fine until the Battles of Saratoga happened and on October 17, the British were forced to surrender. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge took place the winter of 1777-1778. Washington's army suffered a harsh winter, with 2,000 deaths and many "soldiers" deserting and trying to get home. Still, Von Steuben trains his army and by spring, they are real and ready for battles. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington and French forces helping him attacked Yorktown, where Cornwallis was. It ended with many British captures and casualties. Cornwallis then surrendered his army to America. -
Treaty of Paris
Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams signed a treaty to Britian, saying that all British troops must leave, Britian must recognize the United States as independent, the troops still in America could leave, we would pay all debts owed to Great Britian, and agreed to not persecute any loyalists still in America, and let those who left return.