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French and Indian War (7 Years War)
Ongoing struggle between the British and French for control of eastern North America. The British win a decisive victory over the French on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec. -
The Treaty of Paris 1763
In the terms of the treaty, France gave up all its territories in mainland North America, effectively ending any foreign military threat to the British colonies there. -
The Boston Massacre
British troops fire into a mob, killing five men and leading to intense public protests. -
The Boston Tea Party
Group of colonial patriots disguised as Mohawk Indians board three ships in Boston harbor and dump more than 300 crates of tea overboard as a protest against the British tea tax. -
First Continental Congress
First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, with 56 delegates representing every colony except Georgia. Delegates include Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Samuel Adams. -
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American Revolutionary War
War of independence fought between Great Britain and the 13 British colonies on the eastern seaboard of North America. Battles of Lexington and Concord, Mass., between the British Army and colonial minutemen, mark the beginning of the war. -
Declaration of Independence
Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. -
First US Flag Flown
Continental Congress approves the first official flag of the United States flown in war -
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation, the first U.S. constitution. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
Great Britain formally acknowledges American independence in the Treaty of Paris, which officially brings the war to a close. -
Constitutional Convention Meets
Constitutional Convention, made up of delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies, meets in Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution. Met May 14- Sept 17, 1787 -
George Washington - 1st President
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Judiciary Act 1789
The Judiciary Act of 1789 is passed by Congress and signed by President George Washington, establishing the Supreme Court of the United States as a tribunal made up of six justices who were to serve on the court until death or retirement. -
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, are ratified -
Invention of the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin greatly increases the demand for slave labor. -
John Adams - 2nd President
John Adams is inaugurated as the second president in Philadelphia.