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The Act of Union
Act of the Union combines England, Scotland, and Wales as part of the United Kingdom. Therefore, the colonies are no longer English, but British. -
The Post Office Act
Post Office Act passes in the English parliament, which begins a postal system in the colonies. -
New Orleans
The French establish New Orleans. -
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The French and Indian War
The first world-wide conflict involving three theatres of war: Asia, Europe, and Colonial America. Eventually, the British win a decisive victory over the French on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec and the French surrender to the British. -
The Albany Congress
Delegates from seven colonies met at the Albany Congress. -
The Treaty of Paris
According to it's terms, the British gain total control of all previous French-occupied land east of the Mississippi -
The Proclamation of 1763
A proclamation that was given by King George III that prevented colonization past the Appalachian Mountains in order to stabilize and maintain good relations with the Native Americans. -
The first British Boycotts
Boston merchants begin to boycott various British luxury goods in response to these new taxes. -
"Taxation without Representation" phrase is coined
James Otis, in response to the acts imposed by the British, coins the phrase “Taxation without Representation” and urges a unified response. This becomes a calling card and a popular saying throughout the Revolutionary War Era. -
The Sugar Act
The British, in an effort to collect revenue to pay off their war debts, impose the Sugar Act on the colonies, placing taxes on goods such as molasses and sugar -
The Currency Act
The British Parliament pass the Currency Act, assuming direct and total control over the colonial currency system. They effectively banned the creation of colonial paper-bills, causing much unrest and protest in the colonies -
The Sons of Liberty Organization is formed
The Sons of Liberty, a secretive organization that was formed to the Stamp Act is formed. It would later become an anti-British society that promoted the idea of independence. -
The Stamp Act
An act that places taxes on certain goods from England, such as paper, postal stamps, etc. -
The Quartering Act
An act that required American colonists of all colonies to house British troops and supply them with food. -
The Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions
Led by Patrick Henry, the House of Burgess undertook a radical move against the authority of British Parliament by instilling these five resolutions to combat British laws. -
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The Stamp Act Congress
A meeting that took place between colonial leaders, that resulted in the drafting of a list of negotiations and efforts to make peaceful resolutions between the colonies and the British -
New York refuses to house British troops
The New York assembly refuses to fully enforce the Quartering Act. -
Violence breaks out in New York
Fights and violence breaks out between members of the Sons of Liberty and British soldiers in New York. -
Stamp Act Repealed & the Declaratory Act
After the consistent pressure, the barrage of complaints, and the financial troubles that came with the colonial boycotts, the British finally repeal the Stamp Act. But along with repealing the Stamp Act, they also stated that the British’s authority to tax was the same in America as it was in Britain. -
The Townshend Revenue Acts
The British act that placed taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea with the goal of squeezing 40,000 pounds per year from the American colonies. -
The second British Boycotts
Merchants in the major trading hubs of New York and Boston boycott British goods in response to the Townshend Acts. -
British troops arrive in Boston
English warships filled with two regiments of British soldiers arrive in Boston Harbor to keep the peace. -
The Boston Massacre
An angry mob of rioting Boston civilians attack a group of British soldiers. Panicked, the British fire upon the crowd of colonists, resulting in the deaths of five. -
The Gaspee Affair
The British warship, the Gaspee, charged with intercepting and capturing merchant vessels that do not pay the proper taxes, is run aground off the coast of Providence, Rhode Island. A group of fifty-five men, led by John Brown, attack and board the vessel, injuring the captain and taking the rest of the crew as prisoners. They set fire to the ship and rowed ashore. This enraged Parliament, but no arrests were ever made for any of the men who partook in the event. -
The Tea Act
This act was an effort to help the British East India Company, who was struggling financially and overburdened with millions of pounds of unsold tea. This tea was to be shipped to America, where it would be sold for cheap. However, when British ships arrived carrying this cargo, they were either turned back or forced to remain in the harbours of colonial America, where their tea was not allowed to be unloaded as a protest to the Townshend Acts. -
The Boston Tea Party
A group of protestors dress up as Mohawk Indians board several ships carrying British tea from England and dump over 100 crates into the sea filled with tea to protest the British Tea Act -
The Intolerable Acts
The British impose the Coercive Acts, better known as the Intolerable Acts, on American colonists, in an attempt to reimpose strict British control over the colonies and prevent rebellion. -
The First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 56 delegates, from every colony except Georgia, discuss how to respond to the British’s demands and agressive policies. -
Boston Harbor is closed
The British Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in an official state of rebellion, closing Boston’s Harbor as a result. -
"Give me liberty or give me death" speech is spoken
Patrick Henry makes his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech to Congress -
The Midnight Riders: "The regulars are out!"
The midnight riders, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott take place to warn the towns of Lexington and Concord that the British troops were coming. Samuel Prescott is the only one to complete his journey, as Revere was captured by the British and Dawes turned back following a near run-in with British soldiers. -
The Battles of Lexington & Concord
British troops attack Lexington and Concord, planning to destroy a weapons depot and capture key revolutionary figureheads, John Adams and John Hancock. They defeated the minutemen at Lexington, continuing to Concord, where they were turned back and chased all the way back to Boston by several other groups of alerted minutemen from nearby towns. -
The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Ethan Allen and his "Mountain Boys" seize the British held Fort Ticonderoga, gaining much needed guns, ammunition, and canons. -
The Second Continental Congress meets
The Second Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, to discuss their next course of action in their rebellion against the British. -
George Washington becomes Commander-in-Chief
George Washington is appointed the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Fighting breaks out between the British and Continental Army on Breed’s Hill, where, after being inflicted heavy losses, the British emerged victoriously. -
Patriots occupy Montreal
Led by General Montgomery, Continental forces capture and occupy the city of Montreal in Canada. -
Patriots fail to capture Quebec
Continental forces, led by Benedict Arnold, are turned back and unable to capture and occupy the Canadian city of Quebec after facing heavy British resistence. -
"Common Sense" is published
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is published for reading throughout the colonies. "Common Sense" is a pamphlet that makes arguments for and against British rule, but mostly argues for American independence from Britain. -
The British evacute Boston
After being chased from the city in the previous year following the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Continental Army, led by George Washington, decided to regain control of the city. They strategically placed canons on a high hill overlooking Boston, out of reach of the warships' guns. The British, fearing the American forces would fire upon them, quickly evacuated the city. -
France enters the war
Following the colonial success at the Battle of Saratoga, France, under King Louis XVI, enters the war as an ally to the Americans against the British, officially making the American Revolution a war- wide conflict. -
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Virginia Declaration of Rights is drafted, acting as a predecessor and inspiration for the Declaration of Independence later on. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, is presented to and signed by the Second Continental Congress, declaring themselves an independent country and free of British rule. -
The Declaration of Independence is read to the public
The Declaration of Independence is read for all the people to hear in the square directly outside Independence Hall. From there, copies are taken and read before the troops of the Continental Army and in other major towns and cities. -
The Continental Army is forced out of New York
After being forced to retreat from New York, George Washington and his troops are trapped along the East River. Luckily for them, night falls, and with it comes a heavy fog. Quickly and with little to no noise, the Continental Army makes a silent retreat across the river to Manhattan, escaping the British to fight another day. -
The British occupy New York
Following Washington's retreat from New York, the British gave chase. Upon returning to the key city, there was much resistance from many of the locals. The British eventually occupy the city and will continue to for several months. -
The Battle of Harlem Heights
Faced with a much larger British force, the Continental Army Generals George Washington, Nathanael Greene, and Israel Putnam managed to stubbornly hold their ground and win the battle. -
The Delaware River Crossing
Seeing an opportune to inflict damage on the British, George Washington crosses the Delaware River during the night with a small force. Despite the failure of more than half the men making the crossing due to bad weather, Washington attacks the town of Trenton, defeating the Hessian mercenaries staying there at a garrison. They had not expected an attack, due to it being the holidays and the winter, and chose to ignore multiple warnings from Loyalist spies. -
The Battle of Princeton
Following an engagement between Continential and British forces, George Washington emerges victorious. -
The Flag Resolution
The Continental Army had changed their flags at least twelve times before Congress decided enough was enough and decided to create a proper official flag. They decided to settle with Betsy Ross's design, making it the official flag of the United States. -
Lafayette arrives in Philedelphia
General Lafayette, a French admiral and strategist, arrives in the US to assist in the war effort against the British. -
British occupy Philedelphia
Led by the British General Howe, the British seize control of Philadelphia. Luckily for the Continental Congress, they had seen the threat coming and had managed to flee in the days before the occupation. -
The Battle of Germantown
After being inflicted heavy losses in face of the larger British force, the Americans are forced to flee from the battle and the British emerge victorious. -
The Battle of Saratoga
The British General Burgoyne surrenders to American General Gates at Saratoga, NY, following two defeats in battle and after being dealt significant casualties. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
As one of the most action-packed years of the Revolutionary War draws to a close, Washington encamps his men for the winter at Valley Forge, where many of them will die of disease and nearly starve in the harsh, cold, snowy conditions of the New York winter. -
The French Alliance
The US and the French government sign the French Alliance, procuring funds, troops, and naval support from France. -
Howe is replaced by Clinton
British General William Howe replaced by Henry Clinton by order of the king, due to Howe's failures in battle and his inability to squash the rebellion. -
The Battle of Barren Hill
Lafayette with 500 men and about 50 Oneida Indians successfully evade a British onslaught. -
British abandon Philadelphia and return to New York
British abandon Philadelphia and return to New York to meet up with the British navy to prepare an assault on the Continental Army's position in Valley Forge. -
The Battle of Monmouth Court House
Washington's troops and British troops sent to New York engage in a battle that ends in a draw with no clear winner. -
The Seige of Newport
French and American forces besiege Newport, RI, a Loyalist trading hub and a major British military movement area. -
Americans fails to recapture Savannah
The Continential Army's attempt to recapture Savannah, Georgia, from British control, fails. -
The British occupy Savannah
Needing a change in strategy, the British decided to concentrate their war in the southern colonies, where more Loyalists are located. They occupy Savannah, Georgia, as their main headquarters for war in the south. -
The British capture Charleston
The British capture the trading hub and major port of Charleston, South Carolina, from patriot hands. -
French troops arrive
French troops and naval assistance arrives at Newport, RI, to aid the American cause in the war against the British. -
John André arrested & Benedict Arnold becomes a turncoat
British General John André arrested after being found in enemy territory in civilian clothing, leading to the exposure of Benedict Arnold's plans to cede West Point to the British. Andre is executed by Continental forces and hangs as a spy. Benedict Arnold flees to the British, who use his knowledge and experience against the Continental Army. -
The Battle of King's Mountain
The Battle of King's Mountain, South Carolina, was a brutal battle that lasted 65 minutes. American troops led by Isaac Shelby and John Sevier defeat Major Patrick Ferguson and one-third of General Cornwallis's army. -
General Nathanael Greene becomes a commander
Washington names Nathanael Greene commander of the Southern Army and is tasked with leading the Southern war against the British. -
The Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation are presented to the Second Continental Congress, where they are adopted and signed. -
The Battle of Chesapeake Bay
The French naval fleet manages to drive British naval force from Chesapeake Bay, cutting off British forces on land from naval support. -
The Battle & Surrender at Yorktown
British Major General Cornwallis is surrounded on land by American forces, and cut off from naval support at sea by French forces. He is forced to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, which will be the last battle of the American Revolution. -
Lord North resigns as prime minister
Lord North, after hearing of the victory at Yorktown, announces that the war is lost and resigns from the his position as prime minister of Great Britain. -
British evacuate Savannah
Following the American victory, the British forces and Loyalist civilians of Savannah, Georgia, evacuate to Canada and back to Britain to avoid reprocussions and persecution by the victorious Patriots. -
The Articles of Peace
The British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace, recognizing America as its own country and officially ending the conflict. -
The British leave Charleston
British forces leave Charleston, South Carolina, ending British occupation of the Southern colonies. -
Preliminary Peace Treaty
Congress ratifies the preliminary peace treaty. -
The Treaty of Paris
The United States and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Paris, which recognizes the American victory over the British and the independence of the US. -
The British leave New York City
The British troops, after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, leave New York City, heading north into Canada. This is the last major exodus of British troops from American territory. -
George Washington resigns as Commander
George Washington resigns as Commander of the Continential Army, following the end of the conflict. -
Shays's Rebellion
Shays's Rebellion breaks out. Farmers from New Hampshire to South Carolina take up arms to protest high state taxes and stiff penalties for failure to pay. The rebellion is swiftly put down when George Washington arrives with several thousand troops in a show of force. -
The US Constitution
U.S. Constitution signed by Congress, dividing the govenment into three distinct branches: legislative (made of the Senate and House of Representatives), judicial, and executive branches. -
George Washington is elected to be President of the US
Despite his wish to retire to Mount Vernon and give up political life, George Washington is unanimously elected president of the United States in a vote by state electors. -
The US Constitution is ratified
U.S. Constitution goes into effect, having been ratified by nine states, the last of which is the state of New Hampshire. -
Congress meets at Federal Hall
U.S. Congress meets for the first time at Federal Hall in New York City, the temporary capitol of the United States. -
George Washington is inaugurated
George Washington is inaugurated as president at Federal Hall in New York City. Washington adds the words "So help me God" at the end of the oath despite it not being written. This tradition has been passed down from president to president, but not all have added these words at the end. -
The first census is taken in the United States
The nation's first census shows that the population has climbed to nearly 4 million. -
The Supreme Court meets for the first time
U.S. Supreme Court meets for the first time at the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City. -
The Bills of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, are ratified. -
The Cotton Gin is invented
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin greatly increases the demand for slave labour in the South. -
Washington is reelected & is reinaugurated for his second term
After serving his four years as President, George Washington is reelected for his second term as President. George Washington's second inauguration is held in Philadelphia. -
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion breaks out in protest to the taxes Congress had places on alcoholic beverages such as whiskey. It was quickly put down. -
Vermont and Kentucky becomes states
Vermont and Kentucky were admitted as states into the US. -
John Adams becomes President of the US
John Adams, George Washington's former Vice President, is elected and inaugurated as the second president in Philadelphia. -
Library of Congress founded
The Library of Congress, the nation-wide archives and Congressional library is founded and opened. -
Thomas Jefferson is elected as President
Thomas Jefferson, the former Secretary of State of George Washington, is elected as President following an extremely close race between Jefferson and Aaron Burr.