Founding Fathers Timeline

  • The Battle of Lexington and Concord

    The Battle of Lexington and Concord
    The Battle of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American War of Independence. This battle is marked as the famous 'shot heard 'round the world", and encouraged many Americans to support the cause of independence. independence #iheardtheshot #shotheardroundtheworld
  • The Boston Tea Party

    The Boston Tea Party
    The Boston Tea Party was a political protest held at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts, in which angry American colonists (due to the imposition of "taxation without representation") dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor. This was important to the colonial period of the United States because it was the first significant act of defiance by American colonists and encouraged them to fight for independence. thatsthetea #americanrevolution #teaparty
  • The Declaration of Independence is Signed

    The Declaration of Independence is Signed
    The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the United States. It is an official act by the 13 colonies declaring independence from British rule. It states the concepts of which our government and identity as Americans are based. declaration #freedom #american
  • The Winter at Valley Forge

    The Winter at Valley Forge
    George Washington moved the Continental Army to their winter quarter at Valley Forge, this winter, with regularly freezing temperatures, snowfall and rain, and shortages of clothing and shoes, made living conditions extremely difficult. The Continental Army's transformative experiences at Valley Forge reshaped it into a more unified force. coldwinter #valleyforge #strongerforces
  • Article of Confederation are Ratified

    Article of Confederation are Ratified
    The ratification of the Articles was important because they created a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments. articles #strongergovernment #ratification
  • The Battle of Yorktown

    The Battle of Yorktown
    The Battle of Yorktown was a battle against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and a group of 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia, which would become the most important battle of the Revolutionary. Victory at Yorktown led directly to the peace negotiations that ended the war and gave America its independence. ccornwallis #victory #freedom
  • The Constitution is Ratified

    The Constitution is Ratified
    To ratify something means to give formal consent, making something (a treaty, contract, or agreement) officially valid. On June 21st, 1788, the Constitution was ratified; this made the Constitution the official law of the United States and turned the colonies into states. freedom #liberty #ourrights
  • Presidential Inauguration of George Washington

    Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
    A presidential inauguration is a ceremonial event centered on the formal transition of a new president into office. This was important because, with this inauguration, the executive branch of the United States government officially began operations under the new frame of government established by the Constitution. newpresident #inauuguration #constitution
  • Washington's Farewell Address

    Washington's Farewell Address
    George Washington announced his decision not to seek a third trimester. In his farewell address, Washington urged Americans to set aside their violent likes and dislikes of foreign nations. This was important because Washington was warning against the rise of political parties and sectionalism, labeling it as a threat to national unity. newbeginnings #farewellwashington #warning
  • The Death of George Washington

    The Death of George Washington
    George Washington passed away on the evening of December 14th from a throat infection. Washington's death reflected public and private traditions of the time period and served as fuel for Americans from diverse backgrounds to unite. georgewashington #foundingfather
  • Election Day 1800

    Election Day 1800
    The 1800 United States presidential election was the fourth quadrennial presidential election. This election was very important because the Federalists had controlled the government up to that point and this time the Democratic-Republicans had control of Congress. newleader #electionday
  • Marbury vs. Madison

    Marbury vs. Madison
    Marbury vs. Madison was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review." Judicial review is the power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution. marburyvsmadison