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French and Indian War begins
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French and Indian War ends
Conflict between Great Britian and France over who should control North America. The British defeat the French and their Indian allies, but they now have very large debts and want the colonists to pay for it. -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act requires American colonists to pay a tax for a royal stamp on all paper products. This is very unpopular, and many tax collectors are tarred and feathered. -
Boston Massacre
Four workers shot by British troops stationed in Boston. Patriots label the killings "The Boston Massacre." -
Boston Tea Party
Massachusetts patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians protest the British Tea Act by dumping crates of tea into Boston Harbor -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The "shot heard round the world," the first outbreak of violence between British troops and American colonists. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
First time Colonists met the Bristih army in battle. Even though the Americans lost, they proved they could stand their ground against a better trained and better equipped army. The British lost twice as many people as the Americans did.
"Don't fire until you see the white's of their eyes!" -
Thomas Paine's Commson Sense is published
This paper inspired everyday colonists to stand up for rebellion. Before then, mamy people were too afraid to speak about independence publicly. -
Declaration of Independence adopted
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -
Hessians defeat Americans
Hessian forces take Fort Washington away from the Americans -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
Surprise move wins the United States a victory at a time of great need! -
British surrender at Yorktown
Last battle of the Revolutionary War
