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Continental Congress meets
All colonies but Georgia has representatives.voted to send a "statement of grievances".
Voted to Boycott all British Trade.
Patrick Henry - VA rep. urged colonists to unite against Britain. -
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 and Concord
- 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.
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Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort.
Get all supplies in the fort including cannons.
AMERICAN Victory. -
Second Continental Congress meet
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. -
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. -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas 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 cries, ‘TIS TIME TO PART." —from Common Sense, 1776 -
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.
Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document. -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence.