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Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia has representatives
They voted to send a "statement of grievances"
Voted to Boycott all British Trade
Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere rides to warn the Son of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming..." -
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 -
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 -
Second Continental Congress meets
print $$$
set up post office
created Continental army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
king hires 30,000 Hessian soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
fought on breeds hill
"don't fire until you the white of their eyes" - William Prescott
BRITISH victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating american would not be easy -
Washington arrives on outskirt 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 time to part" - Thomas Paine, common sense -
British Surrender Boston
Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
British retreat - AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
Debate on declaring independecne 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
4th of july