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The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was an American political and mercantile protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston, Massachusetts. It was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because it was the first major act of defiance to British rule over the colonists. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. These battles were important to the Colonial Period of the United States because they kicked off the American Revolutionary War (1775-83). -
The Declaration of Independence is Signed
The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence occurred at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later to become known as Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because it helped unify the colonies so that they all fought together instead of trying to make separate peace agreements with Britain. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
General George Washington moved the Continental Army to their winter quarters at Valley Forge. The Winter at Valley Forge was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because it a great trial for the American army and caused the Army's maturation into a more professional force. -
Article of Confederation are Ratified
Ratification of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not occur until March 1, 1781. The Article of Confederation being ratified was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because the document was tailored to a newly formed nation made of states acting more like independent, sovereign countries, and it quickly became clear to some of America's leaders that future stability required a stronger, more centralized government. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was a decisive victory by a combined force of the American Continental Army troops and French Army troops over British Army troops. The Battle of Yorktown was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because the outcome marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. -
The Constitution is Ratified
The Constitution was ratified and became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. The Constitution being ratified was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because the ratifying conventions served the necessary function of informing the public of the provisions of the proposed new government. -
Presidential Inauguration of George Washington
The first inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States was held on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, New York. The Presidential Inauguration of George Washington was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because with this inauguration, the executive branch of the United States government officially began operations under the new frame of government established by the 1787 Constitution. -
Washington’s Farewell Address
Washington's Farewell Address is a letter written by American President George Washington as a valedictory to "friends and fellow-citizens" after 20 years of public service to the United States. This was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because Washington's remarks served as an inspiration for American isolationism, and his advice against joining a permanent alliance was heeded for more than a century and a half. -
The Death of George Washington
On the evening of December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, George Washington passed away of a throat infection. The death of George Washington was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because it reflected contemporary public and private traditions of the time period and served as a catalyst for Americans from diverse backgrounds to unite. -
Election Day, 1800
"Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson defeated Federalist John Adams by a margin of seventy-three to sixty-five electoral votes in the presidential election of 1800. Election Day, 1800 was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because the election results marked the first peaceful change of executive party in the US and confirmed the role of the electorate in choosing the American president. -
Marbury vs. Madison
Marbury v. Madison was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States. It was important to the Colonial Period of the United States because it was the first U.S. Supreme Court case to apply the principle of "judicial review" -- the power of federal courts to void acts of Congress in conflict with the Constitution.