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Benjamin was born to Josiah and Abiah Franklin in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Benjamin stopped attending school but was a good reader and taught himself to write. He began to work in his father's shop at the age of 10.
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At the age of 12, Benjamin signed a contract to work for his older brother James at a Boston printer until he was 21. James would pay for his food, shelter and clothing.
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Benjamin's brother, James, decides to start a newspaper named the New England Courant. Benjamin sent in a humorous piece with the name Silence Dogood. They became popular so he wrote thirteen more under his secret identity.
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Benjamin decides to leave Boston and begins to work with a printer in Philadelphia.
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At the age of 18 Ben sails for two months across the Atlantic Ocean to London, England to find a job as a printer.
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Benjamin decides to leave London and returns to Philadelphia for a new print job.
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Benjamin opens his own printing business in Philadelphia.
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He starts a newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. Ben edited, printed, and wrote many of its articles.
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Benjamin marries Deborah Read.
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William, the first son, is born!
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Benjamin and Deborah have their second child/son, Francis Folger.
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The only daughter, Sarah, is born.
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By the time Benjamin was 42 years old he decided he had made enough money from the printing business and decided to retire. He began to focus on public affairs and science.
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Benjamin is elected to serve in the Pennsylvania Assembly.
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Benjamin flies a kite during a thunderstorm and is able to prove that lightning and electricity are one and the same.
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Benjamin invents the lightning rod.
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He is appointed Deputy Postmaster General for the northern colonies.
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Deborah passes away at the age of 66 in Philadelphia.
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The Revolutionary War begins.
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Congress issues the Declaration of Independence.
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Benjamin helps to negotiate the peace treaty between the U.S.A. and Great Britain. It is signed September 3rd.
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During the summer, 81 year old Benjamin becomes a delegate to the convention which wrote the U.S. Constitution.
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Benjamin passes away in Philadelphia at the age of 84.
