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The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The first shots that were fired between the Americans and The British. The british marched there because the Americans had weapons there. They were marching on Concord and passed through Lexington. The first shot was considered "The Shot Heard 'Round the World". The American colonists were forced to withdraw. When the British got to Concord the Colonists were waiting for them, the weapons were saved and the British retreated. -
Colonial Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold lead the capture Fort Ticonderoga in New York.It is held by the British and it contained weapons. -
Washington is Appointed General
George Washington is appointed general and commander-in-chief of the new Continental Army. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Two day battle, British under the command of General William Howe and American forces under Colonel William Prescott. The British attacked, they took the hill but suffered heavy losses. The Americans fired until they were out of ammunition, then quickly retreated. To conserve ammunition, Prescott told his men, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." -
Colonist Gain Support of France
The American colonists gain support of King Louis XVI of France. -
Independence
Thomas Jefferson presents colonial leaders with the United States Declaration of Independence. Stating that The colonies are independent from British rule. -
Signing of the Declaration
Members of U.S. congress sign the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Long Island
The British drove the Americans from Brooklyn and forced them to evacuate New York. -
Financial and Military aid
Congress appoint Jefferson, Franklin, and Silas Deane to negotiate European treaties. Franklin and Deane go to France seeking financial and military aid. -
Battle of White Plains
The Americans were driven back but were enabled to draw off from the White Plain position and march into New Jersey while the British returned to Manhattan. -
Battle of Ridgefield
American colonists under General Benedict Arnold defeat the British at Ridgefield, Connecticut -
2nd Quartering Act
The new Quartering Act allowed a governor to house soldiers in other buildings if quarters were not provided, but it did not have the provision in the previous act that soldiers be provided with provisions. -
France joins the War
France signs a treaty of alliance with the United States and the American Revolution. The Revolution is now becoming a world war. -
The Battle of Monmouth
Washington defeats British at Monmouth, New Jersey, as the English travel from Philadelphia to New York. This was
probably the largest battle of the war, in terms of numbers of troops. Although this was considered a victory by the Yanks, the British did not surrender; they simply abandoned the fight. -
British capture Fort Moultrie at Charleston
It was the biggest loss of troops suffered to the revolutionary army in the war. The losses consisted essentially of the major part of the forces available to the revolutionaries. -
The Battle of Yorktown
Washington gets word of the British settling in at Yorktown. Realizing the opportunity to finish them off, he requests the Admiral of the French fleet, with no specific authorization from the French government, to aid in the venture.Fortunately
for all of us, the Admiral made the decision, on his own, to come to the aid of the Americans and perform a dual role of preventing the British fleet coming to the aid of the British troops at Yorktown and aid in the bombardment of Yorktown. -
Peace Treaty
Preliminary peace treaty signed in Paris recognising American independence and the British finally withdrawal from America. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is ratified by Congress, the American Revolutionary War officially ends. -
United States
Spain, Sweden, Denmark and Russia recognize the United States of America. -
The British leaves
The British finally leave New York. Washington and his officers hold a "good-bye" dinner at a tavern in New York City. The
world, and some Americans, are stunned that Washington did not assume the role of King, but rather simply announced his job was
done and he was retiring from public life.
