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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta
Abuses by King John caused a revolt by nobles who compelled him to execute this recognition of rights for both noblemen and ordinary Englishmen. It established the principle that no one, including the king or a lawmaker, is above the law. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. This was Parliament's first serious attempt to assert governmental authority over the colonies. -
Boston Massacre
Someone yelled, "Fire!" and soldiers began shooting. Three townspeople were killed and eight more were wounded, two of which died later. No one knew who gave the order to fire. -
Boston Tea Party
The crisis came to a head on December 16, 1773 when as many as 7,000 agitated locals milled about the wharf where the ships were docked. Men dressed in indian clothes threw tea into the harbor to show the English that the tax was rediculous. -
Declaration of Independance
Brought the 13 colonies together as one nation. Still abide by this document today. -
Philadelphia Convention
The main business of the Convention began four days later when Governor Edmund Randolph of Virginia presented and defended a plan for new structure of government (called the "Virginia Plan") that had been chiefly drafted by fellow Virginia delegate, James Madison.
