-
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 Britan. -
1,000'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.." -
Battles of Lexington and 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. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture fort.
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons.
AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet
Printed money
Set up a post office
Created the Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent the Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights.
- king hires 30,000 Hessian soldiers in response. -
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. -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Pane
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 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!
