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1788 BCE
Constitution is ratified
Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. -
Enlightenment
the Enlightenment, a philosophical movement that dominated in Europe during the 18th century, was centered around the idea that reason is the primary source of authority and legitimacy, -
French & Indian War
disputes over subsequent frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution. -
Stamp Act of 1765
The act required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. -
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a grassroots group of instigators and provocateurs in colonial America who used an extreme form of civil disobedience threats and in some cases actual violence -
Townshend Act of 1767
To help pay the expenses involved in governing the American colonies, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which initiated taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. -
Boston Massacre
More than 2,000 British soldiers occupied the city of 16,000 colonists and tried to enforce Britain's tax laws, like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. -
boston tea party
When British tea ships arrived in Boston harbor, many citizens wanted the tea sent back to England without the payment of any taxes. The royal governor insisted on payment of all taxes. -
Olive Branch Petition sent to England
The Olive Branch Petition was adopted by Congress on July 5, 1775, to be sent to the King as a last attempt to prevent formal war from being declared. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The American patriots were defeated at the battle of the Bunker Hill but they proved they could hold their own against the British Army -
Battle of Trenton
After crossing the Delaware River in a treacherous storm, General George Washington's army defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries at Trenton. -
Battle of Camden
On August 16, 1780, more than 2000 British and Loyalist troops under Lt. General Lord Cornwallis met and defeated over 4,000 American troops commanded -
Battle of Yorktown
the British occupy Yorktown, where Cornwallis intends to refit and resupply his 9,000-man army. While he awaits supplies and much-needed reinforcements from the Royal Navy -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed by U.S. and British Representatives on September 3, 1783, ending the War of the American Revolution. Based on a1782 preliminary treaty, the agreement recognized U.S. independence and granted the U.S. significant western territory. -
Great Compromise
the Great Compromise established the United States legislature as a bicameral, or two-house law-making body. -
Bill of Rights adopted
it won over states skeptical of a federal government at the time of our founding and proved our Constitution to be a living document, capable of evolving to perfect our Union.