Road to independence

First continental congress meets

Sep 5, 1774

all colonies but Georgia have representatives
voted to send a "statement of grievances"
voted to boycott all British Trade Patrick Henry- VA rep. urged colonists to unite against british

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

Apr 1, 1775

General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Apr 18, 1775

Paul Revere rides to warm the sons of Liberty in Lexington and concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming..."

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Apr 19, 1775

Battle of Lexington
1st battle of american revolutionary war
"shot heard round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRITISH Victory
Battle of Concord
Americans stop British and force the to retreat back to Boston

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

May 10, 1775

Benedict Arnold & Ethan Allen capture the fort
getting all supplies in the fort including cannons
AMERICAN Victory

Second Continental Congress meet

May 10, 1775

print $$$
Set up post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
king hires 30,000 Hessians soldiers in response

Battles of Bunker Hill

Jun 16, 1775

fought on Breed's Hill
"Don't Fire until you see the whites of their eyes" -William Prescott
BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition) British learn defeating Americans would NOT be easy

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Jul 15, 1775

Realizes men are disorganized & need discipline
Need weapons

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

Jan 10, 1776

pamphlet inspires more colonist to become patriots
"Every thing that is right or reasonables pleads for separaration. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART" -Thomas Paine, Common Sense

British Surrender Boston

Mar 17, 1776

Washington believes his army is ready & weapons arrive
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester height overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory

Second Contonental Congress meet again

Jun 15, 1776

Debate on declaring independence
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document

Second Continental Congress votes or Independence

Jul 2, 1776

All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence

The declaration of independence is signed!

Jul 6, 1776