-
The Stamp Act of 1765
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first direct tax imposed on American colonists -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a confrontation in Boston on March 5, 1770, in which a group of nine British soldiers shot five people of a crowd of three or four hundred who were harassing them verbally and throwing various projectiles. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an American political and commercial protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts. -
Intolerable Acts (Coercive acts)
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament refused an offer from some colonial leaders to pay for the tea that had been dumped into Boston Harbor. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
British troops march into the small town of Lexington at about 5:00 a.m. to find themselves faced by a militia company of more 70 men led by Capt. John Parker. -
Second Continental Congress meets
The Second Continental Congress met inside Independence Hall beginning in May 1775. It was just a month after shots had been fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, and the Congress was preparing for war. -
Battle Of Bunker Hill
On June 17, 1775, New England soldiers faced the British army for the first time in a pitched battle. -
Olive Branch petition sent to England
The Olive Branch petition was adopted by congress. It was sent to the king as a last attempt to prevent formal war from being declared. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
This document announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. It was the last of a series of steps that led the colonies to final separation from Great Britain. -
Articles of Confederation created
The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress November 15, 1777. This document was basically the United States' first constitution. -
The Great Compromise
The Great Compromise established the United States legislature, as a bicameral basically a two house law making body. -
Bill of Rights adopted
Three-fourths of the existing State legislatures ratified the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution.
