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Paul Revere’s Ride Date: Night of April 18–19, 1775 Evening, April 18, 1775: Paul Revere sets out from Boston to warn colonial militias that British troops are marching to seize weapons. Late Night: Revere alerts towns along the route — “The British are coming!” Early Morning, April 19: Colonial militias prepare for the battles of Lexington and Concord. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord Date: April 19, 1775
Location: Massachusetts Early Morning: British troops march from Boston to Concord to seize colonial weapons. 4:30 AM: Skirmish at Lexington Green; “the shot heard ’round the world” fires, starting the conflict. Later Morning: British reach Concord but face strong resistance from colonial militia. Afternoon: Colonial militias force British troops to retreat back to Boston, suffering heavy casualties along the way. -
Battle of Bunker Hill June 16, 1775: Colonists fortify Breed’s Hill overnight. June 17, 1775: British attack 3 times; succeed on third after colonists run out of ammo. British win hill, but suffer heavy losses. Colonists gain confidence. -
Declaration of Independence June 7, 1776: Independence proposed. June 11: Committee formed to draft it. Late June: Jefferson writes draft; revisions made. July 2: Independence officially voted. July 4: Declaration adopted. -
Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis” Date: Late 1776 – 1783 December 19, 1776: Paine publishes the first pamphlet, starting with “These are the times that try men’s souls.” 1777–1783: Paine releases 13 pamphlets in total, boosting morale throughout the Revolutionary War. -
Crossing of the Delaware River Date: December 25–26, 1776 Night of December 25:
Washington and about 2,400 Continental troops secretly cross the icy Delaware River. Early Morning, December 26:
Surprise attack on Hessian forces in Trenton, New Jersey. December 26:
Americans win the Battle of Trenton, boosting morale. -
Battle of Trenton Date: December 26, 1776 Early Morning: Washington’s army attacks Hessian forces after crossing the Delaware River. Battle: Fighting lasts about 90 minutes. American forces win decisively, capturing nearly 1,000 Hessian soldiers. -
Battles of Saratoga Date: September – October 1777
Location: Saratoga, New York September 19, 1777: First battle at Freeman’s Farm; British under General Burgoyne hold the field but suffer heavy losses. October 7, 1777: Second battle at Bemis Heights; American forces under General Gates repel British attack decisively. October 17, 1777: Burgoyne surrenders his entire army to the Americans. -
Winter at Valley Forge Dec 1777: Washington’s army camps at Valley Forge for winter. Winter: Soldiers face cold, hunger, and disease. Feb 1778: Baron von Steuben arrives to train the troops. June 1778: Army leaves stronger and better prepared. -
Battle of Yorktown Date: September 28 – October 19, 1781
Location: Yorktown, Virginia Sept 28, 1781: American and French forces begin siege of British at Yorktown. Oct 14, 1781: Allies capture key British defenses after fierce fighting. Oct 19, 1781: British General Cornwallis surrenders to Washington, effectively ending the war. -
Treaty of Paris Date: 1782–1783 November 30, 1782: Preliminary treaty terms agreed upon by American and British negotiators. September 3, 1783: Formal Treaty of Paris signed, officially ending the war. October 1783: British troops begin evacuating American territory. -
Battle of Philadelphia – Short Timeline Sept 11, 1777: British win at Brandywine. Sept 26, 1777: British capture Philadelphia. Oct 4, 1777: Americans fail to retake city at Germantown. Winter 1777: British occupy Philadelphia; Americans camp at Valley Forge.