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A militia commanded by Colonel William Prescott set up posts on Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, across the harbor from Boston. Even though the British won, they suffered heavy losses of over 1,000 dead.
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All colonies but Georgia have representatives Voted to send a "statement of grievances" Voted to Boycott all British Trade Patrick Henry - VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain
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Several thousand British troops were in and around Boston, with more on the way. British general Thomas Gage had orders to seize the weapons from the Massachusetts militia and arrest the leaders.
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Washington reached the Boston area a few weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British held Boston, but Patriot militia ringed the city.
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Dr. Joseph Warren walked through Boston and saw troops marching out of the city. Warren alerted Paul Revere and William Dawes, members of the Sons of Liberty. Revere and Dawes rode to Lexington, a town east of Concord, to spread the word that the British were coming.
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Benedict Arnold, a captain in the Connecticut milita, raised a force of 400 men and joined forces with the so-called Green Mountain Boys, Together, they took the British by surprise and Fort Ticonderoga surrendered.
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The second Continental Congress meets. The delegates included some of the greatest leaders in the colonies. Among them were John and Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington-all delegates to the First Continental Congress.
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Virginia's Richard Henry Lee offered a bold resolution that the United Colonies have the right to be free and independent.
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When Washington placed troops on Dorchester Heights, British forces left Boston.
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Washington believed his army was ready to fight. Under the cover of darkness, he moved soldiers and cannons into position overlooking Boston. The move surprised the British and the British General William Howe commanded his soldiers to board ships and withdraw form Boston.
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The Second Continental Congress voted on Lee's resolution for independence. Twelve colonies voted for independence. New York did not vote but later announced its support.
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The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, Preamble, Declaration of Natural Rights, and the List of Grievances.
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Copies of the Declaration of Independence were printed and sent out to people in the newly declared states. George Washington had the Declaration read to his troops in New York City.
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Washington led his jubilant troops into the city. They watched as the British troops sailed away to Halifax, Nova Scotia, a part of Canada.