American Government Unit By Killinge Sep 15, 1777 The adoption of the Articles of Confederation Oct 19, 1781 The British Surrender at Yorktown On October 19 in 1781 the British surrendered in Yorktown. They brought atleast 8,000 troops to Yorktown. Jan 25, 1787 Shays Rebellion: Attack on the Springfield Armory 2000 farmers attacked. They were all from Massachusetts. Period: May 25, 1787 to Sep 17, 1787 Constitutional Convention Dec 15, 1791 The Ratification of the Bill of Rights