-
Cintinental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia has representatives
Voted to send a "statement of grievances" -
1000'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. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington-
- First 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 -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
- Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
- Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons
-
Second Continental Congress meet
- Print money
- Set up post office
- created continental army led by george washington
- Sent Olive Branch Petitions asking king George III to protect their rights
- King hires 30,000 Hessians soldiers in response
-
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
- Realized men are disorganized and need discipline
- Need weapons
-
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
- Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
- "Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART"
-
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington outs cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-British retreat and Colonists win -
Second Continental Congress meet again
- Debate on declaring independence from Great Britain
- Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document
-
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
- All 13 colonies vote yes on declaring independence
- New York was the last to vote yes
-
The Declaration of Independence is signed
