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Lexinton and Concord
This kicked off the Revolutionary War. (Shot heard around the world.)
The first shots were fired just as the sun was rising at Lexington. The militia were outnumbered and fell back, and the regulars proceeded on to Concord, where they searched for the supplies. At the North Bridge in Concord approximately 500 militiamen fought and defeated three companies of Great Britians troops. Sent Great Britians reamaining back to Boston after a pitched battle in open territory. -
Second Continental Congress meets
The Second Continental Congress met as agreed on May 5, 1775. This was after the battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19th. Sam Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, and George Washington were some of the delegates. They talked about the war efforts. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont attacked the fort at dawn, suprising and capturing the sleeping British garrison. First American victory! This gave the Americans enough artillary for the future battles. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
When the British were alerted to the presence of the new position the next day, they mounted an attack against them. After two assaults on the colonial lines were repulsed with significant British casualties, the British finally captured the positions on the third assault, after the defenders in the redoubt ran out of ammunition. The colonial forces retreated to Cambridge over Bunker Hill, suffering their most significant losses on Bunker Hill. British victory, 800 wounded and 226 killed. -
George Washinton named commander in cheif
The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies. -
American defeat at Quebec
At approximately 4 a.m. on December 31, the Patriot forces advanced on the city under the cover of a blizzard. The British defenders were ready, however, and when Montgomery's forces came within 50 yards of the fortified city they opened fire with a barrage of artillery and musket fire. Montgomery was killed in the first assault, and, after several more attempts at penetrating Quebec's defenses, his men were forced into retreat. This was a British Victory. -
British evacuate Boston
On this day in 1776, British forces are forced to evacuate Boston following General George Washington's successful placement of fortifications and cannons on Dorchester Heights, which overlooks the city from the south. -
Declaration of Independence issued
The Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. Instead they formed a union that would become a new nation the United States of America. John Adams was a leader in pushing for independence, which was unanimously approved on July 2. -
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, fought on August 27, 1776, was a major victory for the British and defeat for the Americans under General George Washington. It was the start of a successful British campaign that gave the British control of the strategically important city of New York. In the American Revolutionary War it was the first major battle to take place after the United States declared independence in July, 1776. In terms -
British occupy New York City
Even before the Battle of Bunker Hill Lt. General Thomas Gage had considered and begun preparations for occupying New York City. When Maj. General William Howe replaced Gage in October 1775, he continued to make preparations for such an occupation. However, when General George Washington occupied Dorchester Heights in March 1776, Howe was forced to evacuate Boston and relocate to Halifax, Nova Scotia. -
Battle of Trenton
After General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather made it possible for Washington to lead the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian soldiers garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans. The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired reenlistments. -
Battle of Brandywine
The British defeated the Americans and forced them to withdraw toward the American capital of Philadelphia. The engagement occurred near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania during Howe's campaign to take Philadelphia, part of the American Revolutionary War. -
Battle of Saratoga
The first battle, on September 19, began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrenched American position on Bemis Heights. Benedict Arnold, anticipating the maneuver, placed significant forces in his way. While Burgoyne succeeded in gaining control of Freeman's Farm, it came at the cost of significant casualties. Skirmishing continued in the days following the battle, while Burgoyne waited in the hope that reinforcements would arrive from New York City. -
Battle of Saratoga continued...
Militia forces continued to arrive, swelling the size of the American army. Disputes within the American camp led Gates to strip Arnold of his command. American victory! -
British occupy Philadelphia
On September 26, the British proudly marched into Philadelphia. In anticipation of their arrival, the capital was abandoned by the Patriots and many in the business community. Things were in turmoil until the forts held by the Patriots were taken by the British and a steady supply of food and equipment flowed into the city. They were ready to fully settle in for a warm, cozy, and party-filled winter. -
British occupy Philadelphia continued...
When the French Alliance was announced, the occupying British feared an attack from the French armada and quickly abandoned the city, leaving the Tories unprotected and frightened. -
Articles of the Confederation adopted
After 16 months of debate, the Continental Congress, sitting in its temporary capital of York, Pennsylvania, agrees to adopt the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union on this day in 1777. Not until March 1, 1781, would the last of the 13 states, Maryland, ratify the agreement. -
Winter at Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 during the American Revolutionary War. It is approximately 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Starvation, disease, and exposure killed nearly 2,500 American soldiers by the end of February 1778. -
Alliance with France
The Treaty of Alliance with France, was the defensive alliance between France and the America, formed in the midst of the American Revolutionary War, which promised military support in case of attack by British forces indefinitely into the future. -
Battle of Manmouth Court House continued...
Marquis de Lafayette greatly improved army discipline and morale. The battle improved the military reputations of Washington, Lafayette and Anthony Wayne but ended the career of Charles Lee, who would face court martial at Englishtown for his failures on the day. -
Battle of Manmouth Court House
While Cornwallis protected the main British column from any further American attack, Washington had fought his opponent to a standstill after a pitched and prolonged engagement; the first time that Washington's army had achieved such a result. The battle demonstrated the growing effectiveness of the Continental Army after its six month encampment at Valley Forge, where constant drilling under officers such as Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben and Major General Gilbert du Motier, -
Fall of Savannah
Savannah was considered to be a key port by the British. In November, 1778 Henry Clinton sent 3500 regulars and Tories against Savannah. This port was to be a base where the British would have access to the southern American colonies as well as the West Indies. Savannah was defended by about a thousand militia from Georgia and neighboring South Carolina. -
Spain enters the war
On this day in 1779, Spain declares war on Great Britain, creating a de facto alliance with the Americans. Spain's King Charles III would not consent to a treaty of alliance with the United States. For one imperial power to encourage another imperial power's colonies in revolt was a treacherous game, and he was unwilling to play. However, French Foreign Minister Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, managed to negotiate a treaty with Spain to join their war against the British. -
Seige of Charleston
The Battle of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces numbering about 5,000 to the British. -
Benedict Arnold treason discovered
Toward the end of 1780, morale within the Continental Army reached a low point. Troop strength fell to just 6000, and many officers threatened to resign over unpaid wages and inadequate supplies. In September, one of the frustrated officers Benedict Arnold switched to the British side. (Date not be right, sorry.) -
French and British Battle in Chesapeke Bay
The battle was tactically inconclusive but strategically a major defeat for the British since it prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing or evacuating the blockaded forces of Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown Virginia. When the French were able to achieve temporary control of the sea lanes against the British the result was the reinforcement of the rebel army with siege artillery and French troop all of which proved decisive in the Siege of Yorktown securing American independence -
Seige of Yorktown
A decisive victory by a combined force of American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington and French Army troops led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by British lord and Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis. The culmination of the Yorktown campaign the siege proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War, as the surrender by Cornwallis and the capture of both him and his army, prompted the British government to negotiate an end. -
Cornwallis surrenders
On this day in 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis formally surrenders 8,000 British soldiers and seamen to a French and American force at Yorktown, Virginia, bringing the American Revolution to a close.
