-
Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia has representatives
voted to send a "statement of grievances” Voted to Boycott all British Trade -
1000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way -
Midnight ride 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.." -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
Battle of Lexington -
- 1st Battle of American Revolutionary War
shot heard round the world” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord
Americans Stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
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 response
-
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory -
Battle of Bunker Hill
fought on Breed’s Hill
“Don’t 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 of with Continental troops
Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Everything that is right or reasonable pleads weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" - Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington puts cannon on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
British retreat - AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
Debate on declaring independence from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!
