-
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'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 & Concord
-Battle of Lexington-
-1st battle of American Revolution 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
-Get all supplies 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 asking King to protect their rights -King hires 30,000 Hessians 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 -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and needs discipline
-Needs 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 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
-
The Declaration of Independence is signed!
