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The Albany Congress
In June of 1754, representatives from seven colonies met with 150 Iroquois Chiefs in Albany, New York. The purposes of the Albany Congress were twofold to try to secure the support and cooperation of the Iroquois in fighting the French, and to form a colonial alliance based on a design by Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin's plan resembled the Articles of Confederation, and would have provided for coordinated taxation and militia forces to defend the frontiers. -
The Sugar Act
On April 5, 1764, Parliament passed a modified version of the Sugar and Molasses Act which was about to expire. The British West Indies market in molasses and sugar and the market for rum, which the colonies had been producing in quantity with the cheaper French molasses. The act also listed more foreign goods to be taxed including sugar, certain wines, coffee, pimiento, cambric and printed calico, and further, regulated the export of lumber and iron. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a street fight that occurred on March 5, 1770, between a patriot mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. Several colonists were killed and this led to a campaign by speech writers to rouse the ire of the citizenry. The Boston Massacre was a signal event leading to the Revolutionary War. It led directly to the Royal Governor evacuating the occupying army from the town of Boston. -
The Boston Tea Party
Governor Thomas Hutchinson allowed three ships carrying tea to enter Boston Harbor. Before the tax could be collected, Bostonians took action. On a cold December night, radical townspeople stormed the ships and tossed 342 chests of tea into the water. Disguised as Native Americans, the offenders could not be identified. Not a single American colonist had a cup of that tea. -
The Rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes
Paul Revere did not come from the same social class as the aforementioned patriots. His famous midnight ride that warned of the advancing British troops was only one of his revolutionary actions. Not only did Paul Revere take a midnight ride, he was also a silversmith and artist. His engraving of the Boston Massacre was used by patriots throughout the colonies as Revolutionary propaganda of the Revolutionary war. -
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Revoultionary War
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The Virginia Declaration of Rights
A declaration of rights made by the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government. Including that all men are equally free and independent and that people have a right to uniform government. -
Flag Resolution
Starting in 1819, the updated flag becomes legal on the Fourth of July following the date of admission. American ships in New England waters flew a Liberty Tree flag in 1775. Flag with 21 stars Illinois December 3, 1818. Flag with 23 stars Alabama December 14, 1819, Maine March 15, 1820. Flag with 49 stars Alaska January 3, 1959. Flag with 50 stars Hawaii August 21, 1959. Everytime there was a new state a star would be added to the American flag. -
The United States and France sign the French Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States was concluded at Paris, February 6, 1778 and ratified by Congress May 4, 1778. The treaty provided for a defensive alliance to aid France should England attack, and that neither France nor the United States would make peace with England until the independence of the United States was recognized. The knowledge of the Alliance came to Washington on May Day, 1778. -
Lord North resigns as British prime minister
Lord North was admired for his deep loud voice and his quick wit in negotiation and debate. North's strong suit was in financial and economic matters. He nearly recovered Britain from a crushing national debt following the Seven Years' War. However, the War of Independence overtook him. He resigned in March of 1782. He died on 5 August, 1792 he is forever remembered as the minister who lost America. -
U.S. Constitution signed
The people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
