Major Events in US History from the Revolutionary War to Ratification of Constitution by North Carolina
By alex_otis
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War fought with England to gain independence.
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Ratification and adoption of the Articles of Confederation by each state is completed.
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In North Carolina at the Guilford Courthouse Greene clashes with Cornwallis
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French Admiral de Grasse lands 3000 troops on land and defeats 19 British ships arriving to support Cornwallis.
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With Cornwallis' Ships blockaded at Yorktown and penned on land by American and French forces, he finds no way out but to surrender. The defeat of Cornwallis dashes Britain's hope of winning the war.
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General George Washington abandons New York and heads south to battle British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Battle lasts from September 28 – October 19, 1781
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The British government agrees to recognize the independence of the United States. An outline of peace terms is drawn up between the Americans and the British. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams sign the preliminary agreement.
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The British government signs the Articles of Peace.
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George Washington disbands the Continental Army and sends a "Circular Letter" to all the states advising of his concerns for the new nation. Washington resigns as Commander in Chief and Congress issued a proclamation on 18 October 1783 which approved Washington's reductions. On 2 November Washington then released his Farewell Order to the Philadelphia newspapers for nationwide distribution to the furloughed men. In the message he thanked the officers and men for their assistance
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British troops leave New York City.
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Treaty of Paris is ratified by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784 and officially ends the Revolutionary War.
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John Adams is named by Congress to be the ambassador to the Court of St. James, England.
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Writing to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin expresses disappointment, preferring the turkey rather than the eagle as a United States symbol.
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Thomas Jefferson was appointed the Ambassador to France.
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Jefferson's historic Bill for Religious Freedom passes in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
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The proposed Constitution of the United States allows that male slaves count as three-fifths of a man in determining representation in the House of Representatives.
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Victorious in war with ten years of the provincial government of the Confederation a Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation.
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Delaware, by unanimous vote 30 to 0, is the first state to ratify the Constitution. Doing so makes Delaware the first state of the Union.
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Pennsylvania's ratifying convention, after much debate, approves the Constitution entering the Union as the 2nd state. Vote is 46 to 23.
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New Jersey becomes the 3rd state by ratifying the Constitution, by unanimous vote 38 to 0.
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Georgia ratifies by unanimous vote, 26 to 0, to become the 4th state of the United States of America.
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Connecticut ratifies the Constitution by an overwhelming vote of 128 - 40 becoming the 5th state of the U.S.
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Massachusetts ratifies the Constitution by a close vote: 187-168 to become the 6th state of the Union.
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Maryland becomes the 7th state when the Constitution is ratified by a vote of 63-11.
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South Carolina legislature ratifies the Constitution by a vote of 149-73 to become the 8th state.
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The President of Congress announces that the Constitution has been ratified by the nine states required,. when New Hampshire ratifies it by 57 to 47 to become the 9th State.
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Virginia ratifies by a vote of 89-79 to become the 10th state into the Union.
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New York Becomes the 11th state when it ratifies the Constitution by a vote of 30-27.
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North Carolina refuses to ratify the Constitution unless a Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution.
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George Washington is elected President of the United States of America and Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States of America on April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City.
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North Carolina ratifies the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789, becoming the 12th state of the Union. Vote was 194 to 77.
