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Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georga has representatives
Voted to send a statement of grievances
Voted to boycott all British Trade -
Battles of lexington & concord
Battle 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 -
Captures of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort
Americans capture much needed supplies and ammuntion in the fort including cannons
American victory -
Second continental congress meet
Print money
Set up post office
created continental Army led by George Washington
sent olive branch petition asking king George lll to protect their rights
King hires 30,000 Hessians soldiers in responce -
Battle of Bunker hill
fought on Breed's Hill
" Dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes" - William Prescott
British victory(americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would not be easy -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with continental troops
Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
Need weapons -
"Common sense" published by Thomas paine
pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, TIS THE TIME TO PART" - Thomas paine, common sense -
British surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrives
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 vote for Independence
All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed