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Philadelphia Quakers found world’s first antislavery society
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society. It was founded April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and held four meetings. -
Paine's Common Sense, Declaration of Independence, Battle of Trenton
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the 13 Colonies. Paine marshaled moral and political arguments to encourage common people to fight for egalitarian government. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, it severed their political connections to Great Britain. In the Battle of Trenton (Dec, 26), Washington defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. -
Clark's victories in the West
George Rogers Clark was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, on November 19, 1752. During the Revolutionary War, he became the "Conqueror of the Old Northwest," capturing territory that expanded America's frontier. After the war, Clark was left penniless due to debts he had incurred in order to support his troops. The victories started in 1778. -
Norths ministry collapses in Britain
Lord North resigned March 20, 1782 on account of the British defeat at Yorktown the year before. ... In April 1782 it was suggested in cabinet by Lord Shelburne that North should be brought to public trial for his conduct of the American War, but the prospect was soon abandoned. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was adopted by the United States Congress of the Confederation on May 20, 1785. It set up a standardized system whereby settlers could purchase title to farmland in the undeveloped west. The 1785 ordinance laid the foundations of land policy until passage of the Homestead Act in 1862. -
Ratification by nine states guarantees a new government under the Constitution
It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Under America's first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries.
