American Revolution Timeline

By jkilgo
  • Samuel Adams

    Samuel Adams helped organize the sons of liberty and also was an author on the Declaration of Independence.
  • John Adams

    John Adams served in numerous different roles during the American Revolution including as a diplomat to France and Holland and served as a delegate at the First and Second Continental Congress.
  • The Stamp Act

    The Stamp Act
    The Stamp Act required colonist to pay additional taxes to help pay for troops stationed in the colonies during the Seven Years War.
  • The Boston Massacre

    The Boston Massacre
    In response to a group of upset colonist throwing objects like snowballs, sticks, stones and other objects. In response to this British soldiers opened fire and killed 2 men and injured 8 more. Crispus Attucks was one of the casualties during this event.
  • Battle of Bunker Hill

  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea party was a protest that took place in the Boston Harbor. The "Son's of Liberty" group boarded British ships and threw crates of tea into the harbor in response to acts passed by parliament, such as, the Tea Act.
  • The passage of the intolerable acts

    The passage of the intolerable acts
    Throughout 1774, the British Parliament passed 5 acts that would go on to be known as the Intolerable acts and would be a driving factor behind the Colonist wanting to split off from the Crown.
  • Start of the First Continental Congress

    Start of the First Continental Congress
    The First Continental Congress met in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between September 5 and October 26, 1774. They met to discuss America's future under British rule
  • Conclusion of the First Continental Congress

  • Paul Revere's Ride

    Paul Revere took to the streets on this date to alert colonist of the arrival of the British troops.
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord

    Battle of Lexington and Concord
    First battle of the American Revolution.
  • Patrick Henry's Speech

    On this date, Patrick Henry delivered his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech
  • Start of the Second Continental Congress

    Start of the Second Continental Congress
    The Second Continental Congress was a meeting between delegates of states and they would create a coordinated plan to fight against British rule. This would also directly lead to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
  • George Washington commissioned as Commander in Chief

    Chosen for his military experience and prowess, George Washington was named the Commander in Chief to the Continental Army.
  • Publication of "Common Sense"

    Publication of "Common Sense"
    Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that outlined the reasons the colonist should breakaway from the monarchy of England and become free. This pamphlet became a catalyst for the ideals behind the revolution.
  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. This signified the colonies unified stance to break away from British Rule. Thomas Jefferson acted as the main author.
  • Battle of Trenton

    Battle of Trenton
    The Battle of Trenton is most famous for Washington's crossing of the Delaware prior to this battle. No one expected the Continental Army to cross the river in such dangerous conditions, which made this campaign successful.
  • Battle of Saratoga

    Battle of Saratoga
    The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The American defeat of the superior British army lifted spirits of American Soldiers, furthered the hope for independence, and helped to secure the foreign support needed to win the war.
  • End of Second Continental Congress

  • Start of the Battle of Yorktown

    Start of the Battle of Yorktown
    The Battle of Yorktown all but marked the end of the Revolutionary War. With the surrender of Cornwallis the British effectively ended their rule in the colonies.
  • End of the Battle of Yorktown