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April 19
Minutemen and redcoats clashed at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. -
June 15
The Congress named George Washington commander in chief of the Continental Army. -
June 17
The British drove the Americans from Breed's Hill in the Battle of Bunker Hill. -
March 17
The British evacuated Boston. -
July 4
The Declaration of Independence was adopted. -
Aug. 7
The redcoats defeated the patriots at the Battle of Long Island. -
Sept. 15
The British occupied New York City. -
Dec 26
Washington mounted a surprise attack on Hessian troops at the Battle of Trenton. -
Jan 3
Washington gained a victory at the Battle of Princeton. -
Aug. 6
Loyalists and Indians forced the patriots back at Oriskany, but then withdrew. -
Aug. 16
The patriots crushed the Hessians at the Battle of Bennington. -
Sept. 11
The British won the Battle of Brandywine. -
Sept. 19
General Horatio Gates's forces checked British General John Burgoyne's army in the First Battle of Freeman's Farm. -
Sept. 26
The British occupied Philadelphia. -
Oct. 4
Washington's forces met defeat in the Battle of Germantown. -
Oct. 7
The patriots defeated the British in the Second Battle of Freeman's Farm. -
Oct. 17
Burgeoned surrendered at the Battle of Saratoga. -
Dec. 19
Washington's army retired to winter quarters at Valley Forge.
