The American Independence By kkokos Nov 1, 1763 End of the French and Indian War Mar 22, 1765 The Stamp Act Mar 24, 1765 The Quartering Act Jun 29, 1767 The Townshend Revenue Act Mar 5, 1770 The Boston Massacre May 10, 1773 The Tea Act Dec 16, 1773 The Boston Tea Party May 20, 1774 "Intolerable Acts" Sep 5, 1774 The First Continental Congress Apr 19, 1775 Battles at Lexington and Concord May 10, 1775 The Second Continental Congress Jun 15, 1775 George Washington named Commander in Chief Jan 15, 1776 Paine's "Common Sense" published Jul 4, 1776 Declatation of Independence Oct 17, 1777 Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga Feb 6, 1778 The French Alliance Mar 2, 1781 The Aricles of Confederation Sep 3, 1783 The Treaty of Paris Sep 17, 1787 U.S. Constitution signed