-
Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia have representatives. Voted to send a "statement of grievances". Voted to boycott all British Trade. -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
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.." -
Battles of Lexington
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 them to retreat back to Boston. AMERICAN Victory. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture fort. Get all supplies in the fort including cannons. AMERICAN Victory. -
Second Continental Congress meet
-print money
-set up a post office
-Created Continental Army led by Gorge Washington
-sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
King hires 30.000 Hessian Soldiers in response -
battle of Bunker Hill
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
- realizes men are disorganized and need discipline -Need weapons
-
"Common Sense" published by Tomas Paine
- pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
- "Every thing that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature crisis, 'TIS TIME TO PART."
-
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debate on declaring independence
-Tomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-They voted yes -
The Declaration of Independence is signed
-That's why we celebrate with fireworks
