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The clash beween the militia and the British at Lexington and Concord was the first battle of the Revolutionary War, often referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world".
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Held in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress took place soon after the war had begun. It was at this congress that George Washington was appointed head of the continental army.
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Although the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill, they took a massive blow to their troops. Out of the 2,300 soldiers that fought at Bunker hill, over 1,000 were either killed or wounded. This battle was a huge boost in morale for the continental army.
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Thomas Paine writes "Common Sense" in attempts to rally the American colonists behind the idea of independence from Great Britain.
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The Virginia Declaration of Rights provided influence for the Bill of Rights, and stated basic rights, such as "all men are by nature equally free and independent".
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Congress adopts The Declaration of Independence, delcaring America's independence from Great Britain. The Declaration was mainly written by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
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After suffering defeat and almost trapped in New York City, Washington's flees over night.
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George Washington crosses the Delaware River and reclaims Trenton from the Hessians.
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Washington's army is victorious over the Redcoats.
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The Second Continental Congress passes the Flag Resolution, which stated that the American flag should have thirteen stars and thirteen stripes.
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This is the largest battle of the Revolutionary war, and resulted in a British vitory over the Americans.
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General Burgoyne surrenders after two previous defeats.
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The Paoli Massacre was an overnight raid, led by the British Lord Grey, which resulted in the brutal murders of 53 American soldiers and the wounding of 100+.
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the Treaty of Alliance was signed by France and the United States, and stated that should the English attack France, the US will provide for a defensive alliance, and that neither France nor the US shall declare peace with England until the Declaration of Independence is recognized.
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Lafayette and his men successfully evade a British attack.
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Washington leaves Valley Forge with what is virtually a new army than that which went into Valley Forge to begin with.
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Spain joins the revolutionary war against Great Britain.
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General Cornwallis defeats General Gates and his men. The continental army suffers a massive loss in numbers.
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The United States adopts the Articles of Confederation as a form of governance.
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Surrounded on land and sea, General Cornwallis surrenders in Yorktown, VA.
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Signed by the United States and Great Britain, the Treaty of Paris effectively ends the Revolutionary War.
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Uprising of farmers in Massachusettes, who could not repay their debt. Led by Daniel Shays.
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Created a system for territories to follow to become states. This resulted in the creation of territories that would eventually become Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
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Collection of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to promote the new constitution.
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The United States adopt the new constitution after New Hampshire ratifies it. The Constitution is still in use today.
