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Date of Birth
Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. -
Education
Ben's final year of schooling. -
Work
Became an apprenticed to his brother James, a printer. -
First Newspaper
James founded the first independent newspaper in the colonies, The New-England Courant, -
New Start
Franklin ran away to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, gains employment as a printer, and finds a home with John Read, father of his future wife, Deborah. -
London
Franklin left for London to purchase supplies from stationers, booksellers and printers to set up his own print shop. -
First Pamphlet
Publishes his first pamphlet: "A Dissertation upon Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain" -
Back to Philadelphia
Returns to Philadelphia and works as a bookkeeper and shopkeeper for Thomas Denham, a merchant who had loaned him the money to return home. -
Junto
Forms the Junto, a philosophical/political discussion group. -
Printing shop
Sets up own printing shop -
Publish "Pennsylvania Gazette"
Publishes the first edition of the Pennsylvania Gazette. -
Marriage and Money
Marries Deborah Read. Son William Franklin is born. Begins printing money for the colony of Pennsylvania -
Poor Richard's Almanack
Son Francis Folger Franklin is born. Ben prints first edition of Poor Richard's Almanack -
Lost Francis and Establish company
Francis,youngest son, dies of smallpox.
Ben establishes the Union Fire Company.
Prints counterfeit-proof money for the colony of New Jersey. -
postmaster of Philadelphia.
Becomes postmaster of Philadelphia. -
Franklin Stove
Invents the Franklin stove. -
American Philosophical Society
Daughter Sally is born. Ben establishes framework for the formation of the American Philosophical Society. -
Soldier
Becomes a soldier in militia regiment he organizes. -
University of Pennsylvania
Convinces citizens that a state school is needed. This school eventually becomes the University of Pennsylvania. -
Lightning Rods
First suggests the use of lightning rods to keep houses safe. -
Pennsylvania Hospital
Helps Dr. Thomas Bond establish the Pennsylvania Hospital. -
Kite Experiment
Performs famous kite experiment, proving lightning is electricity. -
General For America
Ben is appointed deputy postmaster general for America and begins overhaul of the postal system. -
North America
France and England begin fighting for control of North America. Appointed to the Albany Congress, Ben forms his Albany Plan of Union. Creates "Join, or Die" cartoon. -
War
French and Indian War declared. -
Colonial Disputes
Pennsylvania Assembly sends Ben to England to discuss colonial disputes with Parliament. -
Stamp Act
Stamp Act is passed by Parliament. -
Testimony
Testifies in favor of the repeal of the Stamp Act before the House of Commons. Testimony is published and applauded in America. -
Taxes
Parliament passes the Townshend Acts, laying taxes on lead, paint, tea, and other items -
Troops
The British send troops to Boston. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurs. Ben tries to bring compromise between England and the colonies -
Reconciliation between two countries
Parliament passes the Tea Act, leading to the Boston Tea Party. Ben tries one last time for reconciliation between the two countries. -
Beginning of Revolutionary War
The Battles of Lexington and Concord occur in April, marking the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Ben returns to Philadelphia and takes his seat in the First Continental Congress. -
Declaration of Independence
Ben and Thomas Jefferson are appointed by Congress to draft the Declaration of Independence. After Washington's defeat on Long Island, Ben is appointed commissioner to France. -
British occupation of Philadelphia
Ben hears grim news of British occupation of Philadelphia. Also hears joyous news of American victory at Saratoga, New York. -
Treaty of Alliance
France formally recognizes the United States and signs Treaty of Alliance. -
Revolutionary War
General Charles Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, putting an end to the Revolutionary War. Congress appoints Ben along with John Jay, John Adams, and Henry Laurens, as commissioner to negotiate peace. -
American commission
Ben and the American commission complete negotiations and sign peace treaty with England. -
Franklin Bifocals
Invents bifocals. -
Election
Ben returns home from France. Is elected president of the executive council of Pennsylvania. -
Constitutional Convention
Serves as the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Becomes president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition Slavery. -
Retirement
Retires from public office. -
Death
Dies on April 17; buried next to Deborah in Christ Church Cemetery, Philadelphia.
