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Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The battles were fought were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay. Lexington and Concord was fought between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in the mainland of British North America. British troops were sent to steal military supplies in Concord, Patriot colonials had received word weeks before the expedition so they were ready. -
Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill early on in the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Bunker Hill was originally referred to as the "Battle of Breed's Hill.". On June 13, 1775 Boston leaders learned that the British generals were planning to send troops out from the city to occupy the hills around Boston. Troops under the command of William Prescott then occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. The next day the British came. -
Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from the thirteen colonies that started holding meetings in the summer of 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group managed the colonial war effort, and moved towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Only 12 out of the 13 colonies were represented. Georgia was not present at the Second Continental Congress initially. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announced that the thirteen American colonies were free from the British Empire. The 13 colonies formed a union that would become a new nation. The new nation would be called the United States of America. " John Adams was a leader in pushing for independence, which was unanimously approved on July 2." -
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place on the morning of December 26, 1776 after George Washington crossed the Delaware River. The Battle was in Trenton, New Jersey. After a short battle the Hessian force was captured. There was very little loses to the Americans. The river was icy and the weather was stormy, the crossing was dangerous and two boats were unable to make it across. The American victory inspired rebels in the colonies. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was on October 7, 1776. This Battle was a pivitol point in the war. The two battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York. "The first battle, on September 19, began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights."Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights again on October 7. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge is a military site located in Pennsylvania. Starvation, disease and weather killed over 2,500 American soldiers by March 1778. Only about three soldiers had shoes during this winter. "Soldiers received inadequate supplies of meat and bread, some getting their only nourishment from "firecake," a tasteless mixture of flour and water." -
John Paul Jones captures the Serapis
At the battle of Flamborough Head John Paul Jones and Bonhomme Richard captured the HMS Serapis. They departed from France in August 1779. Jones came upon British Isles and upon Britain's merchant shipping. "After a four-hour battle, Jones succeeded in capturing Serapis, winning a signature victory for the Continental Navy.". Two days after, Bonhomme Richard sunk and Jones used the HMS Serapis to sail to Holland. -
Battle of King's Mountain
"The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle between the Patriot and Loyalist militias in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War.". It took place 9 miles south of present day Kings Mountain, North Carolina. -
British surrender at Yorktown
"America declared its independence in 1776, but it took another five years to win freedom from the British.". British General Cornwallis surrendered his troops in Yorktown, Virginia. Cornwallis had 8,000 troops and was expecting more being sent over on ships, but the ships never arrived. Washington took the opportunity to take the Britsish down. -
Treaty of Paris ratified
The Treaty of Paris was ratified in the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House. The treaty ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on one side and the United States of America and its allies on the other. Peace negotiations began in April of 1782. Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and John Adams were the Americansrepresentatives. The British representatives present were David Hartley and Richard Oswald. -
Washington's Farewell
President George Washington wrote a letter near the end of his second term as President, before his retirement to his home Mount Vernon. The letter was published in American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796. The first draft was originally prepared in 1792 with the help of James Madison but decided to stay in office. "Four years later, as his second term came to a close, Washington revisited the letter and with the help of Alexander Hamilton prepared a revision of the original draft."
