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Cornwallis surrounded on land and sea by the French and the Ammericans and surrenders at Yorktown, VA. Successfully ending the Revolutionary War.
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Thomas Jefferson's wife dies
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Congress endorses a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia, beginning in May.
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With 29 delegates from nine states present, the constitutional convention begins in the state house (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia.
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Rather than revise the Articles of Confederation, delegates at the constitutional convention vote to create an entirely new form of national government separated into three branches - the legislative, executive and judicial - thus dispersing power with checks and balances, and competing factions, as a measure of protection against tyranny by a controlling majority.
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Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance which establishes formal procedures for transforming territories into states. It provides for the eventual establishment of three to five states in the area north of the Ohio River, to be considered equal with the original 13. The Ordinance includes a Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, public education and a ban on slavery in the Northwest.
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Thirty nine delegates vote to approve and then sign the final draft of the new Constitution.
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In Virginia, the Federalists, led by James Madison, finally prevail as ratification of the Constitution (with a proposed bill of rights and 20 other changes) is endorsed by a close vote of 89 to 75.
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A formal announcement is made by the president of Congress that the Constitution of the United States is now in effect, having been ratified by the required nine states.
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French revolution begins, inspired by the end of the American Revolutionary War
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Congress submits 12 proposed constitutional amendments to the states for ratification. The first ten will be ratified and added to the Constitution in 1791 as the Bill of Rights.
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Bill of rights are officially added to the constitution
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Benjamin Franklin dies in Philidelphia at the age of 84.
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Representitives vote for the location of the country's capitol
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Jefferson tried to starve the war, but when it came to pass he supported it with optimism.
