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Lexington and Concord "The shot heard round the world"
The British governor Thomas Gage sent troops over to Concord to stop the colonists with loaded arms, and the next day the first shots were fired in Lexington, starting the war. The battles resulted in a British retreat to Boston. -
The Second Contenental Congress meets in Philidelphia
Representatives from each of the 9 colonies met in Phillidelphia to start an official government, and to build an army and a navy. Once there they all decided that George Washington would lead the army of men. -
George Washington is named Commander in Chief
George Washington is appointed to Commander in Chief. Many men resect his judgement and his call so they elected they he would be in charge. -
Battle of Breeds Hill
The British drive the Americans from Breed's Hill. During the Siege of Boston in the early American Revolutionary War, British successfully captured Charlestown Peninsula, many casualties suffered on both sides. -
Washington assumes command of the Contenental Army
Washington has now been apointed to command the Contenental Army. -
Burning of Norfolk
Virginia and NC patriots rout Loyalist troops and end up burning Norfolk. -
Paine's "Common Sense" published
Thomas Paine is a revolutionary leader who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense arguing for American independence from Britain. In England he published The Rights of Man. -
Declaration of Independence
Congress adopts the Decloration of Indpenedence. This is also known as independence day. -
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights is written by George Mason. -
The First Virginia Constitution
The First Virgina Constitution is written by the 37th congress in the second session. -
Reading The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is read to the public on July 8th 1776. -
Signing The Declaration of Independence
Delegates begin to sign The Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Long Island
Redcoats defeat thee George Washington's army, and Washingtons army escpes at night. Howe defeated Americans and forced them to retreat to Manhattan island. -
Battle of Harlem Heights
Generals George Washington, Nathanael Greene, and Israel Putnam triumphantaly hold their ground. -
Lafayette
Lafayette arives in Philadelphia. -
Battle of Brandywine, Pennsylvania
British Win. The British victory in this battle ensured that Philadelphia, the capital of the self-proclaimed United States of America, would remain in British hands throughout the winter of 1777-1778. -
Burgoyne surrenders
Surrenders to American General Gates at Saratoga, NY. -
Victory at Saratoga
In New York, the British were outnumbered and were forced to surrender. The colonist victory was a turning point in the war because it inspired the French to help the colonists fight the British. -
Fort Mifflin
British capture Fort Mifflin in Pennsylvania and keep moving on with the war. -
Valley Forge
Washington's army retires to winter. Harsh cold and lack of supplies limits the mens ablility to fight and the winter finally wins. -
French Alliance
United States and French sign the French Alliance making them allies in war. -
General Henry Clinton
General William Howe is replaced by Henry Clinton. -
Battle of Barren Hill
Pennsylvania. Lafayette with 500 men and about 50 Oneida Indians successfully evade British onslaught. -
Burning of Indian Villages
Newtown, Ny, after two massacres, American forces burn Indian villages. -
Nathanael Greene
Washington names Nathanael Greene commander of the Southern Army. Quaker-raised American general who employed tactics of fighting and then drawing back to recover, then attacking again. Defeated Cornwallis by thus "fighting Quaker". -
Articles of Confederation adopted
After 16 months of debating the contenential congress adopts the Articles of Confederation. -
Battle of Cowpens
An overwhelming victory by American Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War. This was a decisive victory by American Revolutionary forces under General Daniel Morgan, and was a turning point in the reconquest of South Carolina from the British. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the winning battle of the Revolution and what made the French alliance so important. We had them cornered by both land and by sea thanks to the French. -
Lord North
Lord North resigns as British prime minister that repealed the Townshend Acts and passed coercive acts. He hoped for an early peace during the Revolutionary War and resigned after Cornwallis' surrender in 1781. -
Articles of Peace
British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace. -
Congress ratifies prelimintary peace treaty
Peace Treaty of Paris is ratified by the congress and sent out. -
Treaty of Paris
United States and Great Britian sign the Treaty of Paris. Ended the American Revolution and forced Britain to recognized the United States as an independent nation. -
Washington Resigns as Commander
Washington has resigned as a commander of the Contenental Army. -
U.S. Constituation signed
The United States Constitution is signed. -
U.S. Constitution adopted
New Hampshire retifies it and the United States Constitution is adopted. -
Ratification of the Constitution
The constitution is ratified after a series of edits and signatures.
