Timeline: Road to Independence

Sep 5, 1774

First continental congress meet

All colonies but Georgia have representatives
Voted to send a "statement of grievances"
Voted to Boycott all British Trade

Apr 1, 1775

1,000's of Redcoats in Boston

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

Apr 9, 1775

Battles of Lexington & Concord

Battle of Lexington
1. battle of American Revolutionary war
"shot heard round the world" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
BRITISH Victory Battle of Concord
Americans stop British and force them to retreat back to Boston
AMERICAN Victory

Apr 18, 1775

Midnight ride of Paul Revere

Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the " British are coming... The British are coming..."

May 10, 1775

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

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

May 10, 1775

Second Continental Congress meet

print money
setup post office
Created Continental Army led by George Washington
sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
King hires 30,000 Hessian Soldiers in response

Jun 16, 1775

Battle of Bunker Hill

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

Jul 15, 1775

Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops

Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline
Need weapons
Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
BRITISH retreat -- AMERICAN Victory

Jan 10, 1776

"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine

pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
"Every thing that is right reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voices of nature cries, 'Tis TIME TO PART"-- Thomas Paine, common sense