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Lexington & Concord
Govenor Thomas Gage was advancing on a stockpile of weapons 20 miles from Boston in Concord. When Patriots noticed British movement, they were to signal messengers by 'one if by land, two if by sea. They crossed by boat and many messengers set off to signal the minutemen who confronted the British on Lexington Green. Niether side intended to fire but a shot suddenly rang out and it became known as the 'Shot Heard 'Round the World.' -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The battle of Bunker Hill actually was fought on Breed's Hill and a Patriot commander is know for saying 'don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.' The British suffered a tragic victory because even though they won, they had sacrificed about double the number of their men compared to the Patriots. Even though the Patriots lost, the battle proved that the Patriots could take on the Redcoats. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4, 1776. It lists the causes of the spilt from England and the principles on which the new nation intends to govern themselves. John Adams, Benjemin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston were some of the 56 men who signed their lives, fortunes and their sacred honor. King George's response was simply put, "The lines have been drawn." "Blows must decide." The revolution was offically on and there was no turning back. -
The Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island was on August 27-29, 1776. In the early morning, the British opened fire on the Americans who were stationed near the Red Lion Tavern at a crossroads in Brooklyn. The British had the Patriots surrounded and General George Washington ordered his 9,000 troops to row back to Manhattan. According to eyewitnesses, General George Washington was the last to leave Brooklyn. -
Battle of Trenton
On Christmas night, George Washington crossed the Delaware River during a blizzard and hiked about 9 miles on foot to Trenton. in the morning, they surprise attacked the Hessians, who were partying the night before. George Washington's troops took over 900 Hessian prisoners. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was on September 19-October 17. It was pivotal in the American Revolution. General Burgoyne captured Fort Ticonderoga and was on his way to capture Philidelphia with General Howe, but Howe took a side trip. The Continental Congress was forced to flee and as Burgoyne moved south he was surprised by the Patriots who had sharpshooters and 'picked off' the British and chopped down trees to make obsticles as they made their way to Philidelpia. Burgoyne was forced to surrender. -
Valley Forge
The winter at Valley Forge lasted from 1777-1778. The Patriots had faced brutal loses and harassment from the British and their spirits were down. They faced hardship of cold winter days and nights, sickness and starvation. Small Pox was causing most of the deaths. Gen. Washinton decided to put a small amount of the live virus into helthy men so they'd become immune. Baron von Steuben arrived at the camp and used his millitary skills to train the men and to be more disciplined and professional. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was on September 28 to October 19. The French and American forces joined together and surronded the British on the Chesapeake Bay. -
U.S. Constitution
The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787 by the Continental Convection in Philidelphia, Pensylvania. The United States Constitution was not the offical end of the Revolutionary war. The Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783 was actually the offical end. The Constitution was ratified on June 21, 1788 by convections in eleven states. It went into effect on March 4, 1789 and was ratified by the necessary three-forths of the States on December 15, 1791.
