-
Continental Congress Meets
- 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.
-
1,000 of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of soldiers to Boston with more on the way -
Midnight of Paul Revere
Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming.." -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
- Battles of Lexington -
~ 1st battle of American Revolutionary War
~ shot heard around the world. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
~ BRITISH victory. - Battle of Concord
~ Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston.
~AMERICAN victory.
- Battles of Lexington -
-
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort.
- Get all supplies in the fort including cannons.
- AMERICAN victory.
-
Second Continental Congress Meet.
- Print $$$
- Set up a post Office.
- Created a Continental Army led by George Washington.
- Sent Olive Branch asking the King to protect their rights. ~ King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers.
-
Battle of Bunker Hill
- Fought on Breed's Hill
- "Don't Fire until you see the whites of their eyes." - William Prescott.
- BRITISH victory.
-
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops.
- Realizes the men are disorganized and need discipline
- Needs Weapons. .
-
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
- Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots.
- "Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" - Thomas Paine, Common Sense.
-
British Surrender Boston
- Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive.
- Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston.
- BRITISH retreat, AMERICAN victory.
-
Second Continental Congress Meet Again
- Debate on declaring independence.
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document.
-
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence.
Declaration of Independence passed through. -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed!
Declaration of Independence is Signed.