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Second Continental Congress Meets
The Second Congress managed the Colonial war effort and moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost -
Olive Branch Petition Sent
It was an attempt to assert the rights of the colonists while maintaining their loyalty to the British crown. -
Battle for New York
The American army proved unable to hold up against the British. Battle ended in disaster for the Americans. Washington led his troops and tried to defend Manhattan and Long Island against British troops led by General Howe. -
Common Sense Pamphlet Is Published
The book challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. -
Declaration of Independence Drafted
On June 11, 1776, Congress appointed a "Committee of Five", consisting of John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut, were brought together to draft a declaration. -
Battle of Trenton
General George Washington's army crossed the icy Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 and, over the course of the next 10 days, won two crucial battles of the American Revolution. In the Battle of Trenton (December 26), Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge was the military camp 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia where the American Continental Army spent the winter of the American Revolutionary War -
Fight for Philadelphia
The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign, giving a decisive victory to the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, won a decisive victory against the British Army, led by General Lord Charles Cornwallis. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris of 1783, negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, ended the revolutionary war and recognized American independence.
