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Lexington and Concord
Start of revolutionary war with "The shot heard 'round the world". The Brittish had secret orders to destoy or steal the weapons stashed at Concord.The battle of Lexington was the first battle of the war and ended quickly with colonial troops retreating. At Concord, minutemen gained a decisive victory. -
Second Continental Congress
The delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philidelphia to recognize the militia as the Continental Army, appoint George Washington as its commander and unifiy the colonies. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Up hill battle for the British that would have been lost if not for the colonists running out of ammunition. The British relized the fight will be harder than they thought. -
Declaration of Independence signed
The Declaration of Independence is drafted and declares that the 13 colonies are independent from Britain and that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights, and among these right are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. -
Battle of Trenton
Washington (against rules of war) snuck up on a camp of drunk British Hessians just after Christmas day. There was little resistance and Washington won. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Continental Army defeats British general Burgoyne using guerilla warfare. The victory persuades France to openly join the war and fight for the Americans. -
Valley Forge
George Washington and his men stayed at Valley Forge until June of 1778. The winter at Valley Forge was the hardest winter, many soldiers didnt have enough clothes or food. The winter also proved to be positive because Washington's men learned training, drills, and discipline. -
Seige of Charleston
The British changed their focus to the southern colonies. The Siege of Charleston was a heavy loss for the Americans. The surrender terms allowed the British to get several thousand Continental soldiers and many of the supplies that the Americans had. It also gave the British almost complete control of the southern colonies. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle in the war. It resulted in a victory for the Americans by surrounding general Cornwallis by land and sea with the help of the French. -
Treaty of Paris
The signing of the Treaty of Paris meant that American was recognized as independent by the world.
