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The Boston Massacre
The outbreak of violence between a patriot mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. This resulted in the deaths of five people and the wounding of others. -
The Tea Act of 1773
On this date Parliament passed the Tea Act. This act granted the East India Company a monopoly on shipment and sale of English tea in America. -
The Boston Tea Party
A protest, by colonists disguised as Indians, against the Tea Act of 1773 during which the colonists threw tea from British ships into Boston Harbor. -
The Coercive Acts
A series of four acts intended to punish the troublesome colony of Massachusetts. Also known as the Intolerable Acts. These acts closed the harbor until the cost of the tea from the Boston Tea Party was repaid, revoked the Massachusetts colonial charter, officials were to be appointed by the royal governor rather than elected, and British officials accused of committing crimes were to be tried not in Massachusetts but another colony or England. -
The First Continental Congress (1774)
Meeting of representatives from all colonies except Georgia; gathered in Philadelphia's Carpenter Hall. They gathered to discuss Britain's tyranny towards the colonists. -
"Shot Heard Round the World"
The first shot of the American Revolution. The side upon which pulled the first trigger was never determined. This event took place at Lexington and Concord. Although many patriots had lost their lives in battle that day, the Americans clearly won. There were forty-nine American casualties, and seventy-three British casualties. -
Second Continental Congress
The delegates gathered in Philadelphia and appointed George Washington as commander in chief. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The British commander, Thomas Gage, who has contempt for the soldier-farmers opposing him, ordered a frontal assault on the entrenched patriots the next day. In an attempt to conserve their limited ammunition, Patriot leader William Prescott reportedly ordered the troops, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." The British failed three charges, and the patriots had to retreat having used all their ammunition. The British won, but the victory was costly. -
Olive Branch Petition
On this date, the delegates adopted the Olive Branch Petition. An olive branch is a symbol of peaceful intentions. This petition pledged loyalty to the king and requested his intervention in curving Parliament's abusive exercise of power. King George III refused to read it. So, they had chosen to fight against Britain's tyranny. -
Declaration of Independence
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingstone, and Thomas Jefferson were appointed to draw up a declaration. Most of the work was done by Thomas Jefferson. It not only listed the grievances that Americans had against the king, but also stated universal principles that would shape the character and direction of the emerging nation. -
Battle at Trenton
On Christmas night, Washington led some 2,400 men across the Delaware River during a howling storm. Snow and freezing rain pelted them as they marched to Trenton through the darkness. At least two men froze to death during the march. The storm hid the Americans' movements from the Hessians who were partying on the holiday. Nearly 1,000 Hessians were killed or captured. Washington did not lose any troops in fighting. It was a morale boost for patriots everywhere. -
The Battle of Saratoga
This was a major turning point for the war. The American victory of this battle convinced the French to join the Americans in the war. -
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris acknowledged that the colonies were indeed independent. The United States was awarded all the land east of the Mississippi River with the exception of Florida, which was returned to Spanish control.
