-
Born
Benjamin was born to Josiah and Abiah Franklin in Boston, Massachusetts. -
Ended formal education
Benjamin stopped attending school but was a good reader and taught himself to write. He began to work in his father's shop at the age of 10.
**Only year is accurate. -
Apprentice
At the age of 12, Benjamin signed a contract to work for his older brother James at a Boston printer until he was 21. James would pay for his food, shelter and clothing.
**Only year is accurate. -
Newspaper
Benjamin's brother, James, decides to start a newspaper named the New England Courant. Benjamin sent in a humorous piece with the name Silence Dogood. They became popular so he wrote thirteen more under his secret identity. -
Boston to Philadelphia
Benjamin decides to leave Boston and begins to work with a printer in Philadelphia.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
London
At the age of 18 Ben sails for two months across the Atlantic Ocean to London, England to find a job as a printer.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
Homesick
Benjamin decides to leave London and returns to Philadelphia for a new print job. -
Printing business
Benjamin opens his own printing business in Philadelphia.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
New newspaper
He starts a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. Ben edited, printed, and wrote many of its articles.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
Marriage
Benjamin marries Deborah Read. -
First son
William, the first son, is born!
**Only year is accurate. -
Baby #2
Benjamin and Deborah have their second child/son, Francis Folger. -
It's a girl!
The only daughter, Sarah, is born. -
Retirement
By the time Benjamin was 42 years old he decided he had made enough money from the printing business and decided to retire. He began to focus on public affairs and science.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
Elected
Benjamin is elected to serve in the Pennsylvania Assembly.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
Kite flying
Benjamin flies a kite during a thunderstorm and is able to prove that lightning and electricity are one and the same.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
First invention
Benjamin invents the lightning rod.
**Only month and year is accurate. -
Deputy
He is appointed Deputy Postmaster General for the northern colonies. -
Wife passes away
Deborah passes away at the age of 66 in Philadelphia. -
War has begun
The Revolutionary War begins. -
Independence
Congress issues the Declaration of Independence. -
Peace Treaty
Benjamin helps to negotiate the peace treaty between the U.S.A. and Great Britain. It is signed September 3rd. -
Delegate
During the summer, 81 year old Benjamin becomes a delegate to the convention which wrote the U.S. Constitution.
**Only year is accurate. -
The end of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin passes away in Philadelphia at the age of 84.
