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Battle At Lexington And Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord began on April 18th, 1775. British troops were sent to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams, but both men had been warned about the attack. The night of April 18th, Paul Revere rode through Concord warning everybody about the attack. So when the British came in, the Minutemen were waiting to attack. The Americans were withdrawing when someone fired. British troops started to fire at the Minutemen.The British then charged with bayonets. -
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American Revolution
The American Revolution, also known as the Revolutionary War, was one of the most significant events in American history. Without it, the United States of America may not have come into existence. -
The Second Continental Congress Begins
On May 10, 1775, the members of the Second Continental Congress met at the State House in Philadelphia. There were several new delegates including: John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The meeting started with the battle of Lexington and Concord fresh in their memories. The New England militia were still camping outside of Boston trying to drive the British out. The Second Continental Congress established the militia as the Continental Army to represent the thirteen states. -
Washington Takes Command
On June 15, 1775, General George Washington was voted commander-in-chief of the Continental army by the American Congress. However, he did not arrive in Massachusetts to assume his duties until July 3, 1775. Consisting mostly of local farmers, a few artisans, and skilled workers, they basically knew little about military discipline and the expectations of a real military leader like Washington. -
The Battle Of Bunker Hill
The patriots heard that the British were planning to attack Bunker Hill. The patriots sent 1600 men to set up forts on Breed's Hill. On June 17, General Howe led 2600 British soldiers up Breed's Hill. The Americans held off two British charges, but were finally forced to retreat on the third charge. The British suffered heavy losses with 226 men killed and 828 more wounded. The British gained control of Breed's Hill. -
The Declaration Of Independence
the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia with the intention of voting for independence from England. the Congress selected a committee to draft a declaration of independence. The committee, composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and more instructed Thomas Jefferson to write the declaration. After presenting his final draft, the committee revised the document and submitted it to the Continental Congress on June 28. They released it to the public on July 4th, 1776. -
War in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
Many Americans were just learning that Independence had been declared when war broke out in New York and spread to New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It began when British soldiers and hired German troops called Hessians assembled to attack New York City. After a lot of fighting, British forces took control of the city and chased Washington's army across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. -
Christmas Night
Near here, on Christmas night, in 1776, Washington and his men went on the offensive. They crossed the icy Delaware River and slipped back into New Jersey. With the element of surprise on their side, American forces went on to win important battles at Trenton and nearby Princeton. -
The Encampment at Valley Forge, Penn.
Early into the six-month encampment, there was hunger and despair. By February the weather got better. In March, General Nathanael Greene was appointed head of the Dismal Commissary Department. Suddenly food and supplies started slowly coming in. In May, news of the French alliance came in. On June 19, 1778, a new army anxious to fight the British streamed out of Valley Forge toward New Jersey. They had been transformed from horrible shape into an army ready to fight. -
The Campaign in the Southern States
In 1778, the summer after Valley Forge, the British under took a major military campaign in the southern state where a lot of people were against independence. So the British abandoned Philadelphia and soon warfare ended in the North. Late in December of 1778, the king's force seized Savannah, Georgia and soon took control of the whole state. -
Battle Of Yorktown (last battle in revolution)
The Battle of Yorktown lasted from September 28th to October 19th, 1781. James Armistead was an American spy who carried the word that Britain was waiting for supplies in Yorktown. Then the navy set up a blockade of British ships. Cornwallis discovered too late that he was surrounded by Americans. cannons fired for weeks. Cornwallis tried to flee by ship, but the French navy blocked him. On Oct. 19 Cornwallis sent a runner and drummer boy with a flag to surrender. American won the war.
