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Stamp Act
"The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first internal tax levied directly on American colonists by the British government. The act, which imposed a tax on all paper documents in the colonies, came at a time when the British Empire was deep in debt from the Seven Years’ War (1756-63) and looking to its North American colonies as a revenue source." https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest against in which the Americans dumped 342 chest of British tea into the harbor. This was the first major act of defiant against the British imposing the "taxation without representation". https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party -
Ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes
British troops were preparing to set out to cross Charles River and march to Lexington to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams who were hiding in Lexington. Joseph Warren sent William Dawes and Paul Revere to warn Hancock and Adams of this arrest. https://www.history.com/news/the-midnight-ride-of-william-dawes -
Minutemen & Redcoats Dash @ Lexington and Concord
700 British red coat soldiers march into Lexington with orders to confiscate hidden weapons. The British soldiers are faced with colonial militiamen who are untrained soldiers. Shots are fired then everyone begins blasting away. The British win and find the weapons they are looking for. The colonist confronted the British and a battle erupts. This was the first step towards American independence. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the formal document in which the original 13 colonies cut all ties with Britain and their political entanglement. We celebrate this day every year in honor of America's independence and our right to choose our own government. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States. Its progress was slowed do to fear of central authority and land claims by states. Under these articles, the states remained sovereign and independent, with Congress serving as the last resort on appeal of disputes. -
Articles of Confederation Ratified
After many drafts of this document, on March 1, 1789 it went into affect. "Although the states remained sovereign and independent, no state was to impose restrictions on the trade or the movement of citizens of another state not imposed on its own. The Articles also required each state to extend “full faith and credit” to the judicial proceedings of the others." https://www.history.com/topics/early-us/articles-of-confederation -
Gerald Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown
At the Battle of Yorktown Gerald Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington and his men which ends the American Revolution. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cornwallis-surrenders-at-yorktown -
Constitution Adopted
"The Constitution of the United States established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries." https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/constitution -
Bill of Rights Adopted
"After the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Founding Fathers turned to the composition of the states’ and then the federal Constitution. Although a Bill of Rights to protect the citizens was not initially deemed important, the Constitution’s supporters realized it was crucial to achieving ratification. The Bill of Rights officially became part of the Constitution on December 15 1791." https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/bill-of-rights
