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Lexington and Concord
The start of the revolution, known as the shot heard round th world. The night before is when Paul Revere famously warned the americans of the British arrival -
Provincial Congress
They ordered 13,600 American soldiers to be mobilized. Colonial volunteers from all over New England assemble and head for Boston, they then establish camps around the city and begin a year long siege of British-held Boston. -
Fort Ticonderoga
American forces led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga in New York. The fort contains a much needed supply of military equipment including cannons. -
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Second Continental Congress
Convenes on May 10th. On May 15th Congress places Colonies in a state of defense. On June 15 they appoint George Washington General and Commander in cheif of Continental army -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought in Charlestown, Massachussets. Techically a British victory, however the Americans benefitted more from this battle than the British did. The American tactics and perserverance showrd the British that the Americans actually stood a chance in the Revolution -
Olive Branch petition
The Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition which expresses hope for peace with Britain. In August, King George III refuses even to look at the petition and instead issues a proclamation declaring the Americans to be in a state of open rebellion -
Assembly of New Hampshire
The assembly of New Hampshire adopts the first American state constitution. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is published in Philadelphia. It becomes an instant best-seller in America. The 50 page pamphlet is highly critical of King George III and attacks allegiance to Monarchy in principle while providing strong arguments for American independence.. -
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Dorchester Heights
American forces capture Dorchester Heights which overlooks Boston harbor. Captured British artillery from Fort Ticonderoga is placed on the heights to enforce the siege against the British in Boston. The British evacuate Boston and set sail for Halifax. -
Foriegn Support
The American revolutionaries get the much needed foreign support they had been hoping for. King Louis XVI of France commits one million dollars in arms and munitions. Spain then also promises support. -
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Continental Congress
On June 7, Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, presents a formal resolution calling for America to declare its independence from Britain. On June 11, Congress appoints a committee to draft a declaration of independence. Jefferson is chosen by the committee to prepare the first draft of the declaration, June 28, Jefferson's Declaration of Independence is ready and is presented to the Congress. On July 2, twelve of thirteen colonial delegations vote in support -
Decleration of independence
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS SIGNED -
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Battle of long island
Gen. Howe leads 15,000 soldiers against Washington's army in the Battle of Long Island. Washington, outnumbered two to one, suffers a severe defeat as his army is outflanked and scattered. At night, the Americans cross the East River in small boats and escape to Manhattan, then evacuate New York City and retreat up through Manhattan Island to Harlem Heights. Washington now changes tactics, avoiding large scale battles with the British by a series of retreats. -
Peace Confrence
A peace conference is held on Staten Island with British Admiral, Lord Richard Howe, meeting American representatives including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The conference fails as Howe demands the colonists revoke the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of Valcour Bay
A big defeat for the inexperienced American Navy on Lake Champlain at the hands of a British fleet of 87 gunships. In the 7 hour Battle of Valcour Bay most of the American flotilla of 83 gunships is crippled with the remaining ships destroyed in a second engagement two days later. -
Fort Washington Captured
More victories for the British as Fort Washington on Manhattan and its stores of over 100 cannon, thousands of muskets and cartridges is captured by Gen. Howe. The Americans also lose Fort Lee in New Jersey to Gen. Cornwallis. Washington's army suffers 3000 casualties in the two defeats. Gen. Washington abandons the New York area and moves his forces further westward toward the Delaware River. -
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Washington crosses the Delawre
On Christmas, George Washington takes 2400 of his men and recrosses the Delaware River. Washington then conducts a surprise raid on 1500 British-Hessians (German mercenaries) at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians surrender after an hour with nearly 1000 taken prisoner by Washington who suffers only six wounded (including future president Lt. James Monroe). Washington reoccupies Trenton. The victory provides a much needed boost to the morale of all American Patriots. -
Recapture of Fort Ticonderoga
Gen. Burgoyne's troops stun the Americans with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Its military supplies are greatly needed by Washington's forces. The loss of the fort is a tremendous blow to American morale. -
Marquis de Lafayette
Marquis de Lafayette, a 19 year old French aristocrat, arrives in Philadelphia and volunteers to serve without pay. Congress appoints him as a major general in the Continental Army. Lafayette will become one of Gen. Washington's most trusted aides. -
Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga results in the first major American victory of the Revolutionary War as Gen. Horatio Gates and Gen. Benedict Arnold defeat Gen. Burgoyne, inflicting 600 British casualties. American losses are only 150. THis causes the French to enter the war on the American side. -
Surrender at Saratoga
Gen. Burgoyne and his entire army of 5700 men surrender to the Americans led by Gen. Gates. The British are then marched to Boston, placed on ships and sent back to England after swearing not serve again in the war against America. News of the American victory at Saratoga soon travels to Europe and boosts support of the American cause. In Paris the victory is celebrated as if it had been a French victory. Ben Franklin is received by the French Royal Court. France then recognizes the independence -
Articles of Confederation
Congress adopts the Articles of Confederation as the government of the new United States of America, pending ratification by the individual states. Under the Articles, Congress is the sole authority of the new national government. -
Two treaties signed in Paris
American and French representatives sign two treaties in Paris: a Treaty of Amity and Commerce and a Treaty of Alliance. France now officially recognizes the United States and will soon become the major supplier of military supplies to Washington's army. Both countries pledge to fight until American independence is won, with neither country concluding any truce with Britain without the other's consent, and guarantee each other's possessions in America against all other powers. -
Baron von Steuben
Baron von Steuben of Prussia arrives at Valley Forge to join the Continental Army. He then begins much needed training and drilling of Washington's troops, now suffering from poor morale resulting from cold, hunger, disease, low supplies and desertions over the long, harsh winter. -
Peace Commision
A Peace Commission is created by the British Parliament to negotiate with the Americans. The commission then travels to Philadelphia where its offers granting all of the American demands, except independence, are rejected by Congress. -
France delares war
France Declares war against Britain -
John adams
John Adams is appointed by Congress to negotiate peace with England. -
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold is appointed commander of West Point. Unknown to the Americans, he has been secretly collaborating with British Gen. Clinton since May of 1779 by supplying information on Gen. Washington's tactics. -
Nathanael Greene
Gen. Nathanael Greene, Washington's most able and trusted General, is named as the new commander of the Southern Army, replacing Gen. Gates. Greene then begins a strategy of rallying popular support and wearing down the British by leading Gen. Cornwallis on a six month chase through the back woods of South Carolina into North Carolina into Virginia then back into North Carolina. The British, low on supplies, are forced to steal from any Americans they encounter, thus enraging them. -
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Seige of York Town
Gen. Washington, with a combined Allied army of 17,000 men, begins the siege of Yorktown. French cannons bombard Gen. Cornwallis and his 9000 men day and night while the Allied lines slowly advance and encircle them. British supplies run dangerously low. As Yorktown is about to be taken, the British send out a flag of truce. Gen. Washington and Gen. Cornwallis then work out terms of surrender. -
England ends hostilities
England officially declares an end to hostilities in America. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris is signed by the United States and Great Britain. Ending the War -
Constitutional convention
With 29 delegates from nine states present, the constitutional convention begins in the state house in Philadelphia. A total of 73 delegates have been chosen by the states although only 55 will actually attend. There are 21 veterans of the Revolutionary War and 8 signers of the Declaration of Independence and include the brilliant 36 year old James Madison.The delegates first vote is to keep the proceedings absolutely secret. George Washington is then nominated as president of the congress -
Washington appointed President
George Washington is unanimously elected to be the nation's first President and John Adams is elected its first Vice President, receiving 34 of 69 votes cast. Only ten of the thirteen states cast electoral votes in this election. North Carolina and Rhode Island were ineligible to participate as they had not yet ratified the Constitution. The New York legislature failed to appoint its allotted electors in time, so there were no voting electors from New York. -
Washington Inaugurated
George Washington is inaugurated as President of the United States and John Adams is inaugurated as Vice President at Federal Hall in New York City -
North Carolina
North Carolina becomes the twelfth state to ratify the Constitution In addition to ratifying the constitution,
