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The Boston Tea Party
Angry and frustrated at a new tax on tea, American colonists calling themselves the Sons of Liberty and disguised as Mohawk Native Americans boarded three British ships (the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver) and dumped 342 whole crates of British tea into Boston harbor on December 16, 1773. Similar incidents occurred in Maryland, New York, and New Jersey in the next few months, and tea was eventually boycotted throughout the colonies. -
The First Continental Congress
The Continental Congress created the Continental Army and named George Washington as commander-in-chief. The Congress continued through the summer. Out of the discussions came the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Marines Corps. -
Ride of Paul Revere
Famous silversmith who rode through the countryside to warn the American colonists that the British were coming. He didn't actually make his destination because he was captured by British "Redcoats," but one of his companions, Dr. Samuel Prescott, got the message through. When the British arrived, the Americans were ready. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
No one is still sure who fired first, but it was the "Shot Heard 'Round the World." Both sides opened fire, and the Americans were forced to withdraw. But they had slowed the British advance. By the time the Redcoats got to Concord, the Americans were waiting for them in force. The weapons depot was saved, and the British were forced to retreat. -
George Washington named Commander in Chief
The day that George Washington was named Commander in Chief of the Continental army was the turning point for America in the American revolutionary war. Without George Washington we could have lost the war and we might be under Great Britain's rule still today. Most people take freedom for granted, but people back then put their life on the line just to get freedom. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Two-day engagement between British forces under the command of General William Howe and American forces under Colonel William Prescott. The Americans had occupied Breed's Hill in Charlestown on June 16, 1775, in order to protect the shipyard of nearby Boston. The next day, the British attacked. They took the hill but suffered heavy losses. The Americans fired until they were out of ammunition, then quickly retreated. -
Benedict Arnold's failed attack on Quebec
Yet, he joined the British and tried to help them win the war. He had planned to deliver his own keys to West Point, site of the U.S. army, to Britain's Major John Andre. Andre was captured and hanged. Arnold escaped and actually commanded British troops later in the war. He died in Britain, unrecognized and alone. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense published
Patriot and American soldier whose main contribution was in writing. His pamphlets, including Common Sense and The Crisis, inflamed the American population and furthered the Revolutionary cause. -
Declaration of Independence
The Second Continental Congress represents the people of the new nation called the United States of America. The declaration also serves to appeal to the people of the world to understand the reasons why this separation is a must. The independent states claim the power to make war, make peace, make alliances with foreign nations, conduct trade, and to do anything else that independent states have the right to do. -
Washington wins the battle of Princeton
American victory on January 3, 1777, following hard on the heels of General George Washington's great success at Trenton. The victory at Princeton drove the British out of New Jersey, almost for good. -
First ever flag for United States is designed and sewn
The flag was made to show that we are our own country. We didn't need somebody else to govern us. We can govern ourselves with leaders that we elect from our country. We were showing this with our flag it told them that we can govern ourselves without a ruler or the British. -
Paoli Massacre
The Paoli Massacre was a small, cruel battle fought on part of the Philadelphia Campaign in the American Revolution. At midnight British commander Major General Charles Grey launched a surprise attack on Brigadier General “Mad” Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvania Division. Wayne had been under orders from Major General George Washington to harass the British and to capture all or part of their baggage train. -
The French allies with the Americans
The French allies were a big help to us throughout the war. We needed to get the French to ally with us, so that we would have reinforcements in case of a big Battle that we need much help to win. They also were alot more trained than our army was, so we alot to them for allying with us. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the thirteen United States. It helped start the government of the United States. Helped provide Continental Congress the power to oversee the American Revolutionary War and execute diplomacy in Europe, Native American relations and territorial issues. The United States Constitution was built off of the same ideas of the Articles of Confederation.