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A provincial congress was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts during which John Hancock and Joseph Warren begin defensive preparations for a state of war.
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The English Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion.
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Patrick Henry delivers a speech in Virginia against British rule, stating, "Give me liberty or give me death!".
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The New England Restraining Act is endorsed by King George the Third, requiring New England Colonies to trade exclusively with England and bans fishing in the North Atlantic.
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Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage is ordered to enforce the Coercive Acts and suppress "open rebellion" among the colonists by all necessary force.
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Gage orders 700 British soldiers to Concord to destroy the colonists' weapons depot. That night Paul Revere makes his famous ride reaching Lexington around midnight to warn Sam Adams and John Hancock of the British plan.
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The battles of Lexington and Concord took place. These were the first fights of the war.