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Sugar Act
Put a three-cent tax on foreign refined sugar and increased taxes on coffee, indigo, and certain kinds of wine. It banned importation of rum and French wines. These taxes affected only a certain part of the population, but the affected merchants were very vocal. -
Stamp Act
This was the first direct British tax on American colonists. Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a Stamp (British seal) on it. The Stamp, of course, cost money. The colonists didn't think they should have to pay for something they had been doing for free for many years -
Townshend Acts
These laws placed new taxes on glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. Colonial reaction to these taxes was the same as to the Sugar Act and Stamp Act, and Britain eventually repealed all the taxes except the one on tea. -
Boston Masacre
Five American colonists were shot by British troops. -
Boston Tea Party
American colonists dumped 342 containers of tea into the Boston harbor protesting taxes -
First Continental Congress says "ignore" British acts.
The First Continental Congress declared its opposition to the Acts of British Parliament, saying they are "not to be obeyed," and also promoted the formation of local militia units. -
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death"
St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia.
Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise a militia, and to put Virginia in a posture of defense. -
The Ride of Paul Revere
Famous silversmith who rode through the countryside to warn the American colonists that the British were coming. -
Common Sense First Published.
Common Sense is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was
first published anonymously. -
Richard Henry Lee proposes Independence
Richard Henry Lee proposes an independent country -
Declaration of Independence Signed
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved
the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson.
With this stirring political document, the American
Revolution had formally begun. -
British sail up Hudson blasting guns
As a show of force, two British frigates sail up the Hudson River blasting their guns. -
Battle Of Long Island
British Gen. Howe leads 15,000 soldiers against Washington's army in the Battle of Long Island. Washington, outnumbered two to one, suffers a severe defeat -
Nathan Hale executed
After he is caught spying on British troops on Long Island, Nathan Hale is executed without a trial, his last words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." -
George Washington recrosses the Delaware River
George Washington takes 2400 of his men and recrosses the Delaware River. Washington then conducts a surprise raid on 1500 British-Hessiansat Trenton, New Jersey. -
First American flag created
Flag Resolution flag possibly designed by Hopkinson, likely sewn by Betsy Ross -
Treaty Of Paris signed
United States and Great Britain sign the Treaty of
Paris. This treaty recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the Americans control of the western territory from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River. -
General George Washington resigns
General George Washington resigns his commission as the
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.