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Born in Boston, MA
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Attended Boston Latin School for one year
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Apprenticeship as a printer
He was only 12 when he started working with his brother James in his printing shop -
The New England Courant
James Franklin published the first American newspaper -
Silence Dogood
Franklin published anonymously letters delivered to the Courant -
James Franklin's imprisonment
Benjamin left Boston, looking for a new job in New York.
He went to Philadelphia where he met his future wife Deborah Read.
He worked as a printer with Samuel Keimer -
Benjamin returned to Boston and traveled to London
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Junto Club
In Philadelphia, Franklin founded the Junto Club.
The Junto Club lasted until 1765 -
Pennsylvania Gazette
The newspaper became one of the most prominent publications in Colonial America -
Poor Richard's Almanack
First edition published. -
Mason of Pennsylvania
Elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mason of Pennsylvania -
Postmaster of Philadelphia
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Kite Experiments
Conducted kite experiments by flying a kite in a thunderstorm proving that lightning is electrical. He published the experiment in the Pennsylvania Gazette -
"Join or Die"
Franklin printed his famous cartoon "Join or Die" to make a point about their own defense and colonial unity with the British against the French and Indians -
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law
Award given from Oxford University.
He invented the glass armonica, Mozart and Beethoven composed for it -
The Declaration of Independence
Franklin was appointed as part of the committee of five who drafted the Declaration of Independence -
Treaty of Alliance with France
France declared war on Great Britain -
Treaty of Paris
John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin signed the Treaty of Paris which put an end to the war between the colonies and Great Britain -
Bifocal Glasses Invention
Election as President of the Pennsylvania Executive Council -
United States Constitution
The Constitutional Convention it is considered one of the most significant events in the history of the United States -
The Abolition of Slavery
Benjamin was elected president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery -
Death in Philadelphia
Franklin died at the age of 84. He is buried in Christ Church burial ground in Philadelphia.
He died of pleurisy.
