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The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party (initially referred to by John Adams as "the Destruction of Tea in Boston") was a political protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19,1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy (present-day Arlington), and Cambridge, near Boston. -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
Fifty-Six delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia signed the United States Declaration of Independence, a statement announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states, and thus no longer a part of the British Empire. Although the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776, the date of its signing has been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was signed nearly a month after its adoptio -
The Winter at Valley Forge
Washington marched his tired, beaten, hungry, and sick army to Valley Forge. From Valley Forge, Washington could keep an aye on General Howe's British army ensconced in Philadelphia. Washington's men were sick from disease, hunger, and exposure. The Continental Army camped in crude log cabins and edured cold conditions while Redcoats warmed themselves in colonial homes. The patriots went hungry, while the British soldiers ate well. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, Surrender at Yorktown, or German Battle, ending on October 19 at Yorktown, Virginia was a decisive victory by a combined force of American Contintental Army troops led by Gemeral George Washington and French Army troops led by te Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by British Lord and Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis. -
The Constitution is Ratified
The U.S Constitution was adopted and signed in September 1787, but signing wasn't enough. It had to be ratifiied by nine of the 13 states before it became binding. That happened when New Hampshire ratified it. -
The Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
On April 16, Washington began the journey from his home to New York City, where he would be inaugurated. His journey to New York City took seven (7) days and was transformed into a triumphal procession by the crowds and local officials who greeted the new president along the way. Celebrations erupted at numerous towns along his route. Washington arrived at Elizabeth Town, NJ on April 23 where a ceremonial barge awaited to take him across the river to Manhattan. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In early 1796, President George Washington decided not to seek reelection for a third term and began drafting this farewell address to the American people. The address went through numerous drafts, in large part due to suggestions made by Alexander Hamilton. In the 32-page handwritten address, Washington urged Americans to avoid excessive political party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances with other nations. -
The Death of George Washington
At ten at night George Washington spoke, requesting to be "decently buried" and to "not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead." Between ten and eleven at night on December 14, 1799, George Washington passed away. -
Marbury V. Madison
The case began, when an obscure Federalist, William Marbury, was designated as a justice of the peace in the District of Columbia. Marbury and several others were appointed to government posts created by Congress in the last days of John Adam's presidency, but these last-minute appointments were never fully finalized. The disgruntled appointees invoked an act of Congress and sued for their jobs in the Supreme Court. (Justices William Cushing and Alfred Moore did not participate.
