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The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord kicked off the American Revolutionary War. -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred primarily on July 4, 1776. -
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Winter at Valley Forge
General George Washington moved the Continental Army to their winter quarters at Valley Forge. Though Revolutionary forces had secured a pivotal victory at Saratoga in September and October, Washington’s army suffered defeats at Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown, Pennsylvania. -
Article of Confederation are Ratified
Delaware and Maryland delegates signed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles were finally ratified by all thirteen states. -
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The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown proved to be the decisive engagement of the American Revolution. The British surrender forecast the end of British rule in the colonies and the birth of a new nation—the United States of America. -
The Constitution is Ratified
The Federalists countered that a strong government was necessary to lead the new nation and promised to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, in particular, argued in favor of ratification and sought to convince people that the new government would not become oppressive. -
Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
George Washington's inauguration ceremony in New York City was a grand historical event, attended by hundreds. -
The Death of George Washington
Washington woke up with a sore throat and was having hard times breathing.The doctors tried everything from herbal teas to a concoction of molasses, butter and vinegar. He requested on his deathbed that he not be put in the vault until at least three days after he died He was laid to rest at Mount Vernon on December 18, 1799 at the age of 67. -
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Election Day, 1800
In what is sometimes referred to as the "Revolution of 1800", Vice President Thomas Jefferson of the Democratic-Republican Party defeated incumbent President John Adams of the Federalist Party. -
Marbury vs. Madison
The U.S. Supreme Court first declared an act of Congress unconstitutional, thus establishing the doctrine of judicial review. The court's opinion, written by Chief Justice John Marshall, is considered one of the foundations of U.S. constitutional law. -
Washington’s Farewell Address
In this letter to “Friends and Citizens,” Washington warned that the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the nation's domestic affairs threatened the stability of the Republic. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest. Britain was furious at being taxed without having any representation in Parliament, and felt that it was wrong for them to impose taxes on them to gain income. However, the colonists disagreed. So the colonists dump 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India company into the harbor.