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1st Meeting of Continental Congress
On September 5, 1774, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. Georgia did not send anyone to represent them because they were considered a convict state and they werent taken into consideration. They met after the British government set up the Intolerable Acts. -
Battle of Lexington
The battle of Lexington was the first encounter of the Revolutionary War. This is the battle that Paul Revere made his legendary night ride through the villages to warn people of the approaching British troops. At the end of the battle almost 300 British troops were wounded or killed and no more than 90 American troops were lost. -
2nd Meeting of Continental Congress
On May 10, 1775 the Continental Congress met for the second time in Philadelphia. They had two main goals: to raise and supply an army and to make peace with Britian. However, they were unable to succeed at their second goal because the King refused. -
Fort Ticonderoga
On May 10, 1775, 175 soldiers marched into Fort Ticonderoga in the early morning. The 83 troops and 2 officers inside the fort were asleep. They snuck past them making an easy victory with no shots fired. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 17, 1775, the Rebels sent 1,400 troops to take over Bunker Hill from British troops. General Howe lead 2,500 British troops up the hill three times before the Rebels ammunition ran out and they had to surrender. Even though it was a British victory it was very bad for them. over 200 soldiers were killed and over 800 were wounded. -
Declaration of Independence
In late May, Thomas Jefferson began writing the Declaration, which was stating all of the reasons why the colonies wanted independence from King George. on July 2, the Declaration was voted for by all but one state, New York. On July 4, after a few revisions, the Declaration of Independence was complete. -
Battle of Trenton
Very early on the morning of December 26, 1776, General George Washington lead his 2,400 troops through the Deleware river so that they could attack the town of Trenton. The British were not ready for the attack and lost the battle. The Americans only had two casualties and four wounded soldiers, while the British had 20 killed, 100 wounded, and 1,000 captured. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne was camped at Saratoga, where his resources were cut off by Benedict Arnold. While his troops were leaving him, American troops were getting closer. after two fights and losing over 1,200 men, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17, 1777. -
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Winter at Valley Forge
General George Washington arrived at Valley Forge with more then 12,000 men on December 9, 1777. They lived in drafty huts with no blankets, good clothing, or food, Over 2,000 died from disease alone and another 2,000 deserted over the long winter. -
Battle of Cowpens
On January 17, 1781 about 1,000 American troops and 1,100 British troops gathered near the border of North and South Carolina. The Americans, lead by Colonel Daniel Morgan, won over the the British, lead by Lietenant Colonel Banstre Tarleton. Britain lost almost 100 troops and over 800 men were captured, while only 12 Americans were killed and 60 wounded. -
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Battle of Yorktown
Starting in late September, over 16,000 American and French troops bombarded British forts in Yorktown. General Corn Wallis and his 7,500 troops ran out of resouces over the 12 days of fighting and knew they would not be able to escape. They officially surrendered on October 19, 1781. -
2nd Treaty of Paris
Over six months time, French, American, and British Commissioners met in Paris. They created a document that laid out 82 articles of peace between the three countries. It was agreed upon and signed on Septmeber 2, 1783.